By Vincent Trinh ’25
The DHS Drama Club cast rehearses for the Aladdin play every day during advisory. The play is directed and produced by Derby High School’s music teacher Geoffrey Brookes and co-directed by English teacher Kristin Parry. Technology Education teacher Thomas Hogan and Freshman Academy coordinator Gabrielle Delgado work as stage manager and choreographer, respectively. Along with a star-studded cast, they collaborate to bring this play to life.
Rehearsals are when cast members and stage crew of a production gather to practice and discuss the play. The opening of the Aladdin play is expected to be announced in early March of 2024. Rehearsals are given a duration up until the day before the play to make for a thoroughly authentic performance. Or as one of the actors puts it, “Till we get it right.” The aforementioned actor is Marnie Lane ‘24, who provided their experience with the rehearsal process in an interview.
Lane gave their insight on the rehearsal process and their own personal experience working on the set of Aladdin as a major antagonist role. When asked if there was any particular reason that they were chosen for the role of Diago, they responded with, “I think I was chosen because there’s an off-screen chemistry that play into what role you get selected for in a play,” and that they “had a friend who had the role of Jafar.” As Diago and Jafar are seen as an antagonistic duo, the performance will not only have characterized chemistry but also natural chemistry between the already existing bond of the two actors. And so, as Lane puts it, “It’s a really effective way of casting.”
Lane also shared their personal experience with working on Aladdin. Lane summed up the average day at rehearsal: “We focus on singing, acting, and choreographing… You can focus on a single scene, or sing a song by yourself.” They elaborated further on the flexibility of the rehearsals, stating, “Rehearsals are so diverse because we can work on a lot of different things and if we focus on one thing, we can get stuff done.” Although, Lane feels that they are able to still “connect with fellow cast members and get to know the characters.” Lane ended their response saying, “With how fast the rehearsal is going so far, the play is going to be really well-rounded.”
I was given the opportunity to attend one of the rehearsals and witness this firsthand. I took my seat and was held in place by the beginning of a gripping performance that oozed with authenticity and charm. I felt like a 7-year-old boy watching the first Aladdin movie with my parents, laughing at the jokes and being enthralled by the charming characters. As it unfolded before my eyes, I was lost in the moment, entertained by the charm and humor that was brought to life by the performers. With the help of expressive body language, their performance came to life on the brightly lit stage and had me engaged until the last line was spoken. The actors projected their voices to the perfect degree where they wouldn’t be too loud or quiet that no one in the audience would hear. Throughout, the director gave advice and clear instructions on what the actors should do. Overall, I would say that although it was only a rehearsal, the performance of the actors was detailed, nuanced, and most impressive.
It is clear that from the rehearsals, the Aladdin play will be an authentic, nuanced performance to experience in a genuinely theatric environment with glorious potential.
The Raider Press 