The Catoctin High School Theatre Department performed this year’s fall play, Pygmalion, for crowds on the nights of November 15th and 16th. With the conclusion of these excellent performances from talented theatre students, Pygmalion is out– and James and the Giant Peach is in! Adapted from Roald Dahl’s 1961 children’s novel, James is a 2010 stage musical composed by Tony Award-nominated duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. This musical is not affiliated with Disney’s 1996 film adaptation; it instead takes from Dahl’s original book. A production cannot be executed without a strong cast and crew– that’s where you come in! To get involved, start by attending one of the three interest meetings for the show. On Thursday, November 21st, there will be two informative meetings; one during STEP and one after school. There will be another meeting opportunity on Friday, November 22nd, during STEP. You must only attend one meeting. These meetings will provide insight into the cast and crew opportunities available to you as a participant.
“Young James Henry Trotter, is orphaned when his parents are eaten by a rhinoceros. After a short stint in an orphanage, he is forced to live with his two cruel aunts Spiker and Sponge.
One day, he is given a magical potion from a traveling magician that causes a giant peach to grow, which he then enters and finds himself surrounded by a group of anthropomorphic insects – a Centipede, a Grasshopper, a Spider, a Ladybug, and an Earthworm – with whom he embarks on a journey across the ocean, facing challenges and learning to work together as a family, ultimately finding a new home and a sense of belonging.” (Music Theatre International)
Theatre is an extraordinary opportunity for High School students who wish to collaborate with others in a creative and artistic environment. Participants in the yearly productions often cite the strong friendships and skills they have developed during their time in the CHS Theatre Department.
Freshman Carrie Miller had a blast on the set of Pygmalion— which is the first play she has participated in at our school. Carrie was asked what she loved most about being involved in the performing arts at Catoctin High School: “I think I most enjoy the time I get to spend with friends that I have [in the theatre department]… whether it be running lines or making sets, I just think it’s really fun to be able to hang out.”
Taking theatre class and performing in the fall play allowed Carrie to build relationships with other students, including seniors who she likely wouldn’t have been able to interact with otherwise. Unlike the fall play, which is exclusive to students taking theatre I-IV, the spring musical is open to all students eligible for extracurriculars.
Singing auditions take place after school on Monday, December 2nd and Tuesday, December 3rd. You must sign up for a slot and bring your audition form. Acting auditions will take place after school on Wednesday, December 4th– you will sign up in an audition group. The performance dates are March 28th (7PM) and March 29th (1PM and 7PM) but there is MUCH work to be done before then. Remember that to put on a show, cast and crew roles are equally as important as the actors on stage. Stagehands, puppeteers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and other jobs will need to be filled in order to bring James and the Giant Peach to life! We hope to see you involved!
“James and the Giant Peach (musical).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Oct. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_and_the_Giant_Peach_(musical).
https://www.mtishows.com/roald-dahls-james-and-the-giant-peach
