<bt>At rehearsal for "The Jungle Book," director Rebecca Thorsen gave a pep talk to an apprehensive cast. "I have complete confidence in you, and I don't normally say that," she said. The cast of this "Newbie Show" consists of students who are new to Robinson Drama. It encourages students to learn not only how to be effective actors, but also how to be cooperative members of a cast.
Performances of the "The Jungle Book" will take place on Feb. 7 and 8. at 7:30 p.m., with a special matinee at 2 p.m. on Feb. 8. Until then, the cast and crew are in the busy final stages of production.
Formally known as the Robinson Children's Theatre Company, a newbie cast presents a children's show annually. According to Thorsen, this tradition began five years ago with a dual purpose. It gives new drama students a chance to experience a production and brings much-needed children's theater to the Burke and Fairfax area.
This production has been especially elaborate. Although it is not a musical, Thorsen and assistant director Robi Farabee-Siers are sure that it will be an exciting show. "It has a lot of movement pieces, and the whole theater is part of the show," said Thorsen.
According to Alex Hertelendy, who plays Chaplain Willies, participating in the show has been a positive experience. "I have become more outgoing, and I'm looking forward to doing more plays throughout the rest of high school," he said. Many of the cast members are freshmen like Hertelendy, who plan to participate in drama throughout high school and appreciate the chance to have a large role in a production.
THE CAST also gets a chance to bond with each other as they produce the play. "This is my first play so it is comforting because I'm here with a lot of my friends, and the people I didn't know before I'm really close to now. It is good to be working on a play with a lot of people I'm close to because it makes it easier for me to do my best," said Trish Chamberlain, who plays "Cubby #2." Thorsen encouraged the cast to have get-togethers to run lines and bond so that the overall quality of the play will be better.
The production crew has been as busy as the actors organizing for the play. Students who do tech or design are required to do something they have never done in any other production.
"It has been kind of stressful because I didn't really know what I was doing," said Meghan McCormick, who is in charge of publicity. "Hopefully, I'll learn from my mistakes and I'll do it again next year so I can prove I know what I'm doing,"
In the final week of preparation, the production has run into several problems with cast changes and technical problems. "Things change. We're going to be doing the best that we can," Farabee-Siers told the cast during rehearsal.
"Change is bad," said Peter Ingeman, who stepped in at the last minute to play Mowgli. "I'm pretty darn stressed."
Although the cast is full of last minute jitters, the directors are confidant that they will be able to produce a great show.
"People are going to be blown away," said Thorsen.