Those Rehearsal Nights: Preparing for Grease

Edited by Sophia Axiotis

At this time of year, Canyon students are hard at work in the drama department. Lines are being learned, songs are being sung, and the hand jive is being perfected. The spring musical--Grease--is right around the corner! And thankfully, two cast members have agreed to share a little piece of their experience with Smoke Signals! Have any questions on what it’s like to be a part of Canyon’s exciting productions? Look no further! Sophomore Emily Hood and Senior Leila Brasfield have offered us a sneak peek on their experiences while preparing for Grease.

It should first be noted that choosing to be involved with a production like this is a large time commitment. Emily, who is part of the ensemble, says, “We [have] rehearsal from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.” She also stated that every rehearsal focuses on different aspects of the show, so that there is a day for music and a day for choreography alternatively. Although rehearsal is nearly everyday (for some it may seem exhausting), Emily claims that it is something to look forward to, because she is doing what she loves. She agrees that it may be a lot of work, it is fun nonetheless. It is clear that Emily has a great amount of dedication to the show.

Speaking of dedication, the show's participants must adopt their said roles and learn an 'alter ego'. The way in which one prepares for a role tends to vary from person to person. For Emily, keeping a positive outlook is essential. When she has lines or certain actions, she believes it is important to find motivation behind them. As the character Rizzo, Leila prepares by going to rehearsal (which is essential) as well as taking time at home to perfect her solo. She also emphasizes how important it is to make the performance seem natural, which she accomplishes by reading through the script various times.

Although the cast is hard at work, they manage to have a great time while being productive. Cast member Emily explains how exciting it is to “see the kind of magic [they] can create” once they reach their final product. Leila also opens up about the bond between cast members, and says, “being with everyone is amazing.” Leila ends the interview by expressing how thankful she is for the opportunity to be a part of something amazing.

Leila, Emily, and the rest of the cast would love for everyone to come and see all of their hard work come to life. The show will open Tuesday, March 28th and will run nightly until Friday, March 31st. This will give the student body plenty of opportunity to pay a visit. Tickets will be $8 for students and $10 for adults - Don't miss out!

Want to get involved? It’s not too late! Sets still need to be built and costumes still need to be put together. Help is always highly appreciated! Sign up sheets are available in Mr. Blum’s class (room 122/123).