K-12 Productions Behind the Scenes

As we approach the final week of rehearsals for “The Little Mermaid,” I am reminded of all the previous fall productions of yesteryear. Has it really been 30-plus years of K-12 productions?

The first was a little-known show called “Don’t Touch the Duck.” It took place in the Cats’ Den and had no set; just costumes, props, and a lot of enthusiasm. The next year we became brave and pulled off “The Wizard of Oz” (former headmaster Peter Cowan as the Wizard, his wife, Nancy as the Wicked Witch, and our own dear Mrs. Horney as Glinda), followed by “Peter Pan.” Sets were made out of cardboard and a curtain was added for “Peter Pan” that consisted of fabric hung from a flimsy wire connected to the basketball goals on opposite sides of the gym. Enter Ann Parks. We finally had someone who knew something about building a set. 

Lights and sound came just as slowly and primitively. During one performance of Our Town, the first Upper School play, the newly acquired eight-lamp lighting system went out about halfway through the first act. After letting it cool down, we were able to continue the show. It was discovered that the voltage in the Cats’ Den was not what it needed to be to handle the lighting system. This was rectified before our next show. What I loved most about this experience was the fact that the actors continued with their lines even after the lights went out, as if nothing had happened. This gives true meaning to the words, “The show must go on!”

The 2012 “Little Mermaid” was the first K-12 production to use the scrim. Adding this drop to the back of the Rives Hall stage gave us the ability to add colorful background lighting to our shows. At the end of Act 1, Ariel transforms from being a mermaid to having human legs. In 2012, we watched Mallory Atkinson, then in kindergarten, swim her heart out as she was hoisted in the air backlit by the scrim, giving the audience a magical theatre experience.

This year’s performance will have its own technical wonders with video and pre-recorded voices added to the show. One thing that has not changed is our willingness to try something new and adapt as needed.

Every drop, set piece, costume, prop, has a story to tell. Just like every show has a story to share. Experiencing theatre whether in the seats, backstage or in the limelight adds to each individual's story. We look forward to inspiring the next generation of Westchester stars next weekend, and we hope you will join us for the show.

Ms. Debby Noyes
Director, Math Teacher