by kellie abrahamson kabrahamson1@aol.com
Stage Aurora is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1999 by Darryl Rueben Hall, a professional actor from the First Coast who wanted to bring the theatre to the Northside, where he was raised. Since its inception, Stage Aurora has brought countless shows to the area and has introduced thousands of kids to the stage. Their latest production is a stage version of the exceedingly popular Disney movie High School Musical, which Hall directs. I had the opportunity to sit in on a couple of their rehearsals and speak with some of the extremely talented kids who will bring the show to life.
The show tells the story of Gabriella Montez and Tory Bolton, two teens from two very different worlds- Tory is the captain of the basketball team and Gabriella is the backbone of the school’s Scholastic Decathlon Team- struggling to earn parts in their school’s musical despite their clique status. As the two try and figure out how to break free from their stereotypes, the reigning queen and king of the drama club, Sharpay and Ryan Evans, do everything in their power to keep the newcomers from stepping on their turf.
The cast of Stage Aurora’s High School Musical consists of about 75 kids ranging in age from 8 to 18. Upwards of three different people will get to perform as each principle during the show’s run. Many of the actors have seen the movie version of High School Musical dozens of times, while some, like Nathan Brown, who plays Zeke, a jock who secretly loves to bake, have only seen it enough times to get to know their characters.
“My mom made me watch the movie,” he explains. “(She said) ‘Get your part right’. So I had to watch it over and over.”
Sitting down with 21 of these extremely bright young performers was a bit overwhelming but a lot of fun. The kids were outspoken, articulate and at times downright hilarious. They are also really glad to be a part of this show.
“We’re all happy with the roles that we have,” said Sherrod Brown, a 17-year-old who also plays Zeke. “Honestly, I feel I’m the exact opposite of my character. But that’s what makes it so fun: to become somebody else. I think that’s the whole point of theater.”
The talented ensemble has been rehearsing for three weeks and is gearing up for opening night this Saturday. While memorizing their lines, songs and dance moves, these young actors also have to contend with school, homework and other commitments.
“I have 100 Voices with Stage Aurora and I have this and I’m in another play at school,” explains Rakita Dozier, who plays Taylor McKessie, Gabriella’s brainy friend. “It’s just a lot.”
Still, these teens have worked incredibly hard to nail their roles so that they can give the best possible performance.
“I really hope- and I think it’s every actor’s hope- to have someone walk out and just be like ‘Wow, that was an amazing show’,” said Katy Jacobson, who plays the eccentric drama teacher, Ms. Darbus. “That’s our purpose, we’re here to entertain people and you want people to come out with a smile from ear to ear.”
The kids I talked to also hope that the audience embraces the message behind the play.
“(The message is) that everyone’s not the same and that everyone should try something different,” explains 15-year-old Kristen Arteaga, who plays Sharpay. “There’s cliques (sic) in every school and it shouldn’t be like that.”
Sherrod Brown knows what it’s like to feel the pressure of fitting in.
“It was a struggle having to deal with the peer pressure of other students talking about me being different. I had to come to a point where I was just like ‘I don’t care what you think. I’m going to continue being myself because that’s who I am’,” he said. “Be yourself, be innovative. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Stage Aurora’s production of High School Musical will be performed at the Ezekiel Bryant Auditorium on FCCJ North Campus on Friday at 8:00 pm and on Saturday, March 9-25 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm. For more information or to purchase tickets visit stageaurora.org.
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