Haven’s auditorium was transformed from a simple stage into the setting of candle-lit comedy. The fall drama production of “Clue,” which ran on the weekends of November 15 and 22, produced laughs, gasps, and unprecedented crowds.
Senior Katie Snyder, who was featured as the mysterious Mrs. White, was delighted to see the crowds of classmates, teachers, family members, and fresh faces alike pour through the doors for each performance.
“We had an awesome turnout. We had close to 500 people each weekend, and that’s really surprising for the drama,” Snyder said. “Definitely, in the four years I’ve been here, it’s been the most like the crowds that we have for the musical.”
But the audience only witnessed a small fraction of the effort required to bring “Clue” from boardgame box to black-curtained stage. The small cast invested hours of after-school and weekend free time to bring the macabre comedy to life.
“We start rehearsals in September for the November show. We rehearsed two hours after school, three days a week. Over tech weekend, we rehearsed 12 hours. And then tech week, we rehearsed four hours every night,” Snyder said.
Even with well-rehearsed scenes and perfected lines, these dinner party guests needed a setting to play out their deadly drama — in fact, they needed a kitchen, conservatory, dining room, billiard room, library, lounge, hall, and study. This tall order meant all hands on deck for Haven Tech Crew.
Co-head of stage crew and junior Nate Mitchell credits long hours of hard work for the production’s success and popularity.
“We have techies come every weekend and spend multiple hours every Saturday, for multiple months. And during tech week, we volunteer almost all of our after school hours,” he said. “That doesn’t include any times that I as a head would have spent after school reviewing the script, or designing moves.”
Complete with mobile walls, secret doors, and a dropping chandelier, the dynamic set of “Clue” reflected hours of planning, preparation, and hands-on work.
“When your group is composed of busy high school students who are volunteering their free time, organizing and getting everyone’s full attention and cooperation can sometimes be difficult,” Mitchell said. “But in the end, we did definitely make it work, and we were able to pull together a really great show.”
Director Roxie Everly, despite spending a staggering 12 to 14 hours per day on campus during the tech week craze, felt a weight lifted off of her shoulders through the responsibility and commitment of the students who participated in “Clue” — on stage, and behind the curtains.
“The kids were so awesome this year. I really didn’t feel like I was really running around like a chicken with my head cut off, because the kids were just so on top of it,” Everly said. “I cried at the last show. I’m going to miss these kids.”
Co-head of stage junior Sara Farrington enjoys working on tech crew for the satisfaction of seeing productions like “Clue” come together. But more importantly, for the kind and hard-working people she meets along the way.
“The effort and the determination and the work that all the high schoolers put in is what makes the shows so great,” Farrington said. “Ultimately, none of it would even be possible without the kids.”
DISCLAIMER: Reporter is a member of SHHS Theater and Tech Crew.
