In the fall, West High’s theater program performed Mamma-Mia, which had an amazing cast and saw a large student turnout. Recently, West High Theater returned to the stage to perform one of Shakespeare’s best-known comedies, As You Like It. The stunning cast of As You Like It had six weeks to memorize, block, and perform the show. As the actors practiced, the play’s tech crew built an amazing set and a wardrobe of costumes.

As  You Like It follows two girls, Rosalind and Celia (Rosalind’s cousin), as they flee into the woods and meet Orlando, Rosalind’s true love. Rosalind makes Orlando woo her while disguised as a man, acting as Rosalind. At the end of the play,  Rosalind explains she is a girl and gets married to Orlando, Celia marries Olivia (Orlando’s sister), and Phoebe and Silvius get married.

Q: What was your favorite scene?

A (Stacy Hutchings, Director): ​My favorite scene was probably the scene where Rosalin, as Ganymede, convinces Orlando to practice wooing “him” so that he may get it right when he actually gets to meet up with Rosaline once again. (Sounds confusing….it was fun!)

A (Vivian Stewart/Rosaland): My favorite scene was the one where Rosalind and Orlando meet in the forest while Rosalind is in her manly disguise, and she convinces him to pretend that she is Rosalind to help him out. It was definitely a very long scene, but it was fun to play around with the different things I could do to make the scene funnier and more entertaining.

A (Elizabeth Harges/Duchess Seniora): Of the scenes I was in, I think my favorite was Act 2, Scene 7, which was the scene when Orlando meets Duchess Seniora and her circus. You really get to see the whole dynamic of the circus characters, and it was the scene where you find out more about Duchess Seniora and Jaqueline. Of the scenes I wasn’t in, hands down, I’d have to say Act 3, Scene 2 when Orlando and “Ganymede” first meet. It was the longest, but also the most comedic, and it helps to progress the plot, as well as add more to the characters we have met throughout the beginning of the play. I love the way Vivian portrayed Ganymede, and this scene is one of the best examples showing the character.

Q: What is your favorite set piece?

A (Stacy Hutchings, Director): ​My favorite set piece was the train car/circus tent. It just gave a fun, bohemian type of a feel.

A (Vivian Stewart/Rosaland): I really loved the big circus tent/train car that our wonderful techies built. It really brought the stage to life and was fun to utilize in our acting.

A (Elizabeth Harges/Duchess Seniora): I really liked the stage connected to the train car for the circus, because it was fun, funky, and eclectic!

Q: What was your favorite prop? ​

A (Stacy Hutchings, Director): ​My favorite prop was the (living) dog (I’m a little biased as he is my dog).

A (Vivian Stewart/Rosaland): I’d say my favorite prop was Rosalind’s necklace at the beginning of the play. It held a lot of significance to not only my character but to Orlando’s character too.

A (Elizabeth Harges/Duchess Seniora): Um… I liked my umbrella a lot, but I also really liked the hobo bags they made for Vivian, Xendria, and Traiton. And the votes for women posters. And the knives (they were made of blunt plastic, don’t worry!). And the ribbon wand Xendria used during Act 3, Scene 2. All the props were amazing! Props to the Props Head!

Q: What was your favorite moment with the cast?

A (Stacy Hutchings, Director): ​My favorite moment with the cast…that’s a hard one. There are always so many moments that are great. I love it when they make discoveries and are so amazed at their own work. I love it!

A (Vivian Stewart/Rosaland): I’d say my favorite prop was Rosalind’s necklace at the beginning of the play. It held a lot of significance to not only my character but to Orlando’s character too.

Q: What was it like putting a show together in 6 weeks?

A (Stacy Hutchings, Director): ​Putting a show together in 6 weeks isn’t uncommon. I usually like to have 7 to 8 weeks for a Classical piece, just so the actors truly understand the language. This time we didn’t have that. It is always a little stressful when you sit back and watch the last dress rehearsals and wish you had more time! But, I am proud of what the actors did. I think they were fantastic!

A (Vivian Stewart/Rosaland): It was really interesting putting this show together in only six weeks. There was definitely a lot of pressure, but it helped to have such amazing actors, technicians, and Mrs. Stacey to help us. We worked long hours, weekends, and practiced at home, but it was all so worth it.

A (Elizabeth Harges/Duchess Seniora): It was difficult, but everyone did their best, and I am so happy I got to be a part of it! We didn’t have any late rehearsals, because, at the same time, Eurydice was preparing for the competition, and their rehearsals were after ours. We worked hard on memorizing lines and blocking, finding costumes (who knew that 1915 fashion was so hard to find clothes for?), and making the set and props. All in all, we did amazing with the time frame we were forced into (Thanks a lot, Covid!).

Q: What would you like people to know about the show?

A (Stacy Hutchings, Director):​The show, or our production of the show? For the show, I guess I would want people to know that it is all about pretending to be someone you are not, societal injustice, and the human desire to improve one’s situation.  For our production of the show, I would like people to know that even though the show was written several hundred years ago, we can place the situations into any era. That is why so many “old” pieces are considered classics. They can be relatable to so many, from one extreme to the next. Our performers took Shakespearean language and tried to make it accessible to most of our audience. I think they did a pretty darn good job!

A (Vivian Stewart/Rosaland): I think people should know that we worked really hard on the production and put a lot of love into it. Hopefully, those who came enjoyed it, and I hope it may encourage others to join our theatre department.

A (Elizabeth Harges/Duchess Seniora): We put our hearts, souls, and entire beings into this show, and we are so proud of what we ended with. Remember that entire in-person week when we had to go online, due to raising Covid cases in our school? Well, that entire week was scheduled with after-school As You Like It rehearsals! After losing that whole week, we thought that we would have to postpone the show until at least April, taking an almost month-long break from As You Like It rehearsals. Personally, I am so glad that we didn’t postpone. We worked so hard and put so much effort into this show. We loved putting on this show, and we hope you liked watching it! I would like to thank all the people who contributed and participated in As You Like It, as well as Eurydice! Actors and Technicians! You are all so amazing! You did amazing! I loved working with those who were in As You Like It! And to those who are in Eurydice, “Break a leg”! Also: To Ms. Stacey! Thank you so much for being our director! We love you!!!

As You Like It had great performances and an even better cast and crew. It was amazing to watch, and a great show in general. A big thank you to the entire cast, the crew, and especially to Ms. Stacy, who made the production happen. Don’t miss out on the ELPer play in may!