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11/02/2016 09:00 AMThe curtain is going up: Now in its second year in the new Guilford High School (GHS) theater, the GHS Theatre Arts is getting ready to bring David Ives award winning play All in the Timing to town.
The play comprises six one-act plays strung together by the common thread of timing. Exploring themes related relationships and introspection, Theatre Arts Coordinator Cara Mulqueen-Teasdale, who directs the production, said this was the right play for the students.
“It taps into existential sort of things, absurdist comedy, but because they are small pieces and they deal with few characters, they are really accessible to the kids and they are light and kind of zany and they are poignant in some ways as well,” she said.
Close to 80 students tried out for the production before a cast of 18 was selected. The play is classified as a comedy-drama, which Mulqueen-Teasdale said presented its own challenges.
“Comedy is really difficult and that is one of the big challenges,” she said. “I think comedy by its nature asks us to put ourselves out there as humans and to be forgiving of the human condition, so I think for the kids, particularly because they are adolescents, it is hard sometimes to make yourself vulnerable.”
As in previous productions, much of the play is under student direction, according to Mulqueen-Teasdale.
“The district has really been encouraging us as teachers within the classroom to hand over a lot of the learning to kids and allow them to explore and problem solve independently, so what this has allowed me to do is be much more hands-off and just kind of gently guide them,” she said. “They have really directed a lot of this themselves, so it has been really exciting as a teacher to watch. What is really cool is I think it gives them greater ownership of the piece and it focuses on process.”
All in the Timing is an ensemble play, meaning there are no lead actors, which has given students a chance to work together.
“I love these ensemble pieces for so many different reasons,” she said. “It is a lot of effort to do a whole show if you’re one kid, so these guys are able to really take leadership roles, but also support one another. I think it is a better experience for them overall.”
Working in the new GHS theater for a second year, Mulqueen-Teasdale said she and the students have become more comfortable with the space.
“Technically we are more comfortable than we were last year,” she said. “Sound-wise we are significantly more comfortable. The kids have grown into the space and they are continuing to grow as actors to fill the space.”
Mulqueen-Teasdale said she’s hoping for a big audience turnout this year, particularly from younger people.
“Sales have been really brisk for everything in this space since we have been here,” she said. “This piece will be very accessible for high school and college kids in particular. I think that some of the jokes might go over little kids’ heads, but it is certainly a middle school, high school, and above play. I think it is a lot of fun.”
All in the Timing is on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Guilford High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at ghsta.weebly.com.