From the show\u2019s conception in the spring semester to planning sessions in the summer to countless hours poured into the first nine weeks of school, the making of \u201cMatilda\u201d has been a complex process all leading up to tonight\u2019s opening performance. With over 50 students and faculty members contributing to the show in some way, \u201cMatilda\u201d is finally ready to shine.<\/p>\n
From start to finish, everyone involved has been focused on creating a show filled with joy and imagination.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe prayed together when we first got together, and I said, \u2018This is my goal: I want to tell this story, and I want it to be such a good process, and I want to keep the joy,\u2019\u201d director and assistant professor of theatre Dottie Frye said. \u201cI really believe that if the process is positive and encouraging \u2026 if that happens in rehearsal, the product will take care of itself. And that\u2019s what we are working toward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Members of the production agreed that the process has certainly been a positive one, from conception to curtain call. Read on to learn more about the making of \u201cMatilda.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Set
\nThe story of \u201cMatilda\u201d revolves around imagination and stories of wonder as told through a child\u2019s eyes, therefore engaging visual elements were a critical component from the beginning.<\/p>\n
According to set designer Britton Lynn, professor of theatre, the set had to be creative to account for a story that includes many changing scenes. He said every story location is visible onstage for the duration of the show, with lighting techniques and creative placement making clear when the story has moved to a new scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatilda loves to read \u2026 and a lot of the action of the story centers around her time in the library,\u201d Lynn said. \u201cWe decided that we would give the actors a library of props to use to tell the story. So the set is a two-story collection of shelves that all of the props live on.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a library of props displayed across the stage, Lynn said the set design is completely different from the past several Homecoming musicals in which the design was streamlined and simplified as much as possible. With \u201cMatilda,\u201d however, there was a need to keep everything out in the open in order to make the show work for Harding.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now the Benson is fairly limited in what we can actually do,\u201d Lynn said. \u201cSo this has been kind of creatively cluttering up the space \u2026 And kind of making it look cluttered but also look interesting so you can actually see everything that\u2019s on stage is the big challenge in this type of design.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to using one of the largest sets in recent years, \u201cMatilda\u201d is employing several other elements to add to the youthfulness of the show. Frye said audience members should be on the lookout for scooters, over 20 LED screens and four swings hanging from the rafters. Lynn said the entire set was constructed by 40-50 people throughout the process, and viewers will certainly never run out of places to look.<\/p>\n
The Characters
\nWith a cast of over 30 members playing characters from wicked Miss Trunchbull to joyfully rebellious schoolchildren, \u201cMatilda\u201d showcases a plethora of dynamic personalities.<\/p>\n
Members of both the cast and crew said one of the interesting challenges of Harding\u2019s production of \u201cMatilda\u201d was creating a show largely centered around children with no child actors \u2014 every child is played by a college student. This affected everything from vocal coaching to choreography.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want to think about what would a kid do or what would they look like?\u201d senior choreographer Madison Ceurter said. \u201cWhat would their mannerisms look like?\u201d<\/p>\n
Senior Rebecca Light stars as Matilda, and the 4\u201910\u2019\u2019 actress said tapping into a childlike energy was a lot of fun. Through the process of transforming into the show\u2019s namesake character, Light said she has learned about herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatilda has kind of proved to me I am capable, because she\u2019s so small and in a terrible place in life, but because of her bravery and her wisdom and her love and inclusiveness of everyone, it\u2019s taught me I can be brave,\u201d Light said. \u201cI can be smart. I can use my talents for good and for helping others.\u201d<\/p>\n
In contrast to the endearing children, \u201cMatilda\u201d boasts over-the-top characters designed to be disliked, such as Miss Trunchbull and Matilda\u2019s parents, the Wormwoods. assistant professor of music Laura Eads said she\u2019s always had a dream of playing the headmaster, and was delighted to be cast as Miss Trunchbull after auditioning.<\/p>\n
Eads has played many characters through her years of music and opera experience, but she said Trunchbull is easily the meanest character she\u2019s ever portrayed. She said she tried to act in a way to showcase the character\u2019s crazy side in addition to her mean spirit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are definitely things where she\u2019s just straight-on mean, and it\u2019s hard to do,\u201d Eads said. \u201cIt\u2019s emotionally hard to do that four hours a night, because that\u2019s not really my nature. It\u2019s been a real challenge in a good way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with choreography and acting choices, the characters\u2019 personas shine through their hair, makeup and costumes. Costume designer Katy White said seven students have been hard at work pulling everything together, which includes over 400 separate costume pieces.<\/p>\n
Senior Evan Chesney serves as hair and makeup designer and dresser, and he said choices in a character\u2019s style help indicate who they are. He specifically recounted the process of styling the tacky wig worn by Mrs. Wormwood, who is played by senior Ava Galyean.<\/p>\n
\u201cStyling Ava\u2019s wig was probably the most fun part, because I got to have a lot of fun styling it and making it big,\u201d Chesney said. \u201cSo that was entertaining.\u201d<\/p>\n
The final piece of creating the characters of \u201cMatilda\u201d is one the cast has been working on for a while: singing and speaking with British accents. Vocal coach Stacey Neely, adjunct professor of music, said this skill came more easily to some than others, causing some laughter and a lot of hard work to get to a good place with the accents.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been an entertaining challenge for us to try to get that consistent,\u201d Neely said. \u201cAnd I think they\u2019re going to do pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Story
\nWhen the rights to \u201cMatilda\u201d became available for usage, Frye said the department of theatre applied within 30 minutes for the opportunity to put on a show she has always imagined. Frye loved the chance to direct a show relying heavily on ensemble work, a theatre technique she has always enjoyed.<\/p>\n
Even more than the style, however, those involved in the making of \u201cMatilda\u201d have loved the story and message it embodies.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery child is valuable,\u201d Frye said. \u201cIn \u2018Matilda,\u2019 her parents don\u2019t recognize what a beautiful gift she is, and somehow she still manages to shine and grow. Ultimately she does find a place where she\u2019s loved and \u2026 there\u2019s healing that goes on all the way around. I love the story.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what audience members could look forward to about \u201cMatilda,\u201d senior Drew Holley, who plays Mr. Wormwood, said it\u2019s up to the viewer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very big imagination show, so I guess what you\u2019re looking forward to is just anything you could imagine,\u201d Holley said. \u201cIt\u2019s about what it\u2019s like to be a kid again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMatilda\u201d will be performed in Benson Auditorium tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets can be bought online at hardingtickets.universitytickets.com or at the door.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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