Bright stage lights, captivating choreography, a beautiful harmony. Originally created by the ancient Greeks, musicals have been a source of entertainment for thousands of years, however most people only get to see the final product of a musical and not the effort that goes into making it.
Here at Papillion LaVista High School, students have been working hard on the school’s latest musical, Fiddler on the Roof. It is about Tevye the milkman and his five daughters and their lives living in a Jewish community. Practicing, making props, making the cast, and much more, both actors and crew have been working on this for a very long time and every role is important to make the musical perfect.
Like any other musical, there are many roles and jobs that all contribute in their own way to make a musical possible.Sophomore Rhiannon Mills is not only a part of crew, but she is also acting in the musical, playing the role of Tevye’s youngest daughter, Belike. Of course, someone like Mills greatly contributes to the musical, both acting and working behind the scenes.
“ I contribute by having an active role and being in an ensemble as well as participating in the behind the scene crews.” Mills said.
While actors play a huge role in musicals, the crew’s effort shouldn’t be overlooked. Fiddler on the Roof is Sophomore Riley Smart’s first musical that he’s in as a member of the crew, working with the spotlights. At first, Smart’s role might not seem that important, but that is not true in the slightest. Learning how to use a spotlight takes plenty of time and practice, having to understand the controls, creating smooth transitions, and safety.
“I stand in the very back of the auditorium and I use the spotlight on the people who are singing and I’m told ques by the manager,” Smart said.
Not only have students been working hard, but they have been working for months preparing for the big day. As a whole, they have been working on this musical for about four months, starting in December. In that time, everyone has been doing nothing but practice and preparing.
“Basically all we have done is rehearse, rehearse, rehearse and work with crews to make sure everything will be good for our show days” Mills said.
The reason the musical has been taking so long is because so many things go into making a musical. It takes plenty of time to get a good cast, create sets, and find props.
“It’s a lot of work,” Smart said. “ It goes into casting, building the set and making the lights and finding props.”
There’s not just hard work and effort that goes into a musical, but also love is a key factor as well.
Despite the workload, a lot of students enjoy working on or being in the musical, from seeing people enjoy the performance, from creating special bonds with their peers.
“I think a lot of time and effort and love goes into making a musical and just making the story come to life essentially, it is very exciting and these people become like your family and once you have that, that’s when the magic happens.” Mills said.
Musicals are not at all easy to make, things like time, effort, and hard work go into making one. Students at Papillion LaVista High School have been preparing for this musical for a very long time, so go show them some well deserved support by attending Fiddler on the Roof.
