“The Play That Goes Wrong” is exactly what it sounds like. It is a play about a community theater trying to put on a show but everything keeps going downhill. To pull off this play, students have to portray an actor playing another character. This can be challenging because the actors have to get into the mindset of a person who is acting as a different person. Senior Charlie Dorsch plays an actor whose character is an inspector.
“My character is two different people, which can be tough, especially when putting mannerisms into a character so that you can see the actor playing his part while not seeing me through that mess,” Dorch said.
The cast has lots of tips on nailing difficult characters such as the ones in this play. Senior Izzy Herberger makes connections with her character to help get into the mindset to properly act her out.
“She’s very anxious so I can connect to that a bit and she is very dedicated to making sure the show goes right,” Herberger said.
Not only is this play different from anything the current cast has done before, but they are doing it with a whole new director as well. With the retirement of Nicole Voss, former theatre department chair, Alex Moore has stepped up to the stage. Senior Henry Overmann has noticed a difference in their teaching styles.
“Mr. Moore casts on ‘what the actor needs, not what the actor wants.’ He doesn’t want to typecast someone into playing the same roles, while Voss had an idea of who she wanted in each role before auditions started, which could lead to typecasting,” Overmann said. “Voss wanted to give the actor full freedom for how they played the role, while Mr. Moore has an idea of what the role should be, but will let the actor make it their own.”
Along with the differences, both directors have many similarities to each other. They both have a common goal of caring about their cast, not just putting on a good show.
“Voss and Moore are both very talented directors,” Overmann said. “They both allow their actors to experiment with the characters they play and both push the actors to the limits of their talents and are willing to take a chance with an actor.”
The dynamic in the theater has changed but in a very good way. The cast has become closer than ever and works incredibly well together.
“[Moore] is very respectful and acknowledges things I honestly don’t even think of,” Herberger said. “He has great specific advice rather than just blanket statements like ‘eat healthily and get lots of sleep.’”
The actors are most excited about the gags and tricks that come along with this particular play. They have spent plenty of time perfecting them for opening night.
“It is a very physical comedy, like a farce, which should be fun to watch especially since we haven’t done one at PCH in a while,” Dorsch said.
Moore gives his students many opportunities to have fun with the show and make it their own. He lets the actors and actresses have the creative outlet everyone needs in life.
“Mr. Moore wants to put on a show that his actors would have fun with and people would want to see,” Overmann said. “I am honored to be in ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, and I can’t wait to put the show on.”
