Preparing for prom is a uniquely end of high school experience.
But for Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School fine arts students, the theatrical version of the big day is around the corner with its musical production of The Prom taking stage Nov. 28-30 at its C.A. Smith Arts Centre.
“This last week is a craze,” said STS Grade 12 student Darwyn Perry, with a laugh. “You start realizing as you get in, ‘Oh, I need this costume piece, I need this prop.’ Once you start running the whole thing, you find those little gaps and it’s a rush to fill them and make sure everything is perfect and polished.
“It’s a bit of a calm before the storm and everything runs smoothly then you realize you made the show and you feel really proud of yourself and you look forward to opening night.”
Kya Truscott, a Grade 12 student playing the role of Dee Dee Allen, said you never feel good about a show until the curtain is lowered.
“Not until you get some feedback, it’s great having an audience in there,” she said.
“And the last couple of weeks you can feel it in here, everybody becomes a team and a family. These are people who might not necessarily be the closest friends outside of the musical, but you get closer during this time, you create bonds and friendships you might not have if this wasn’t here.”
The musical tells the story of four Broadway actors with their best days behind them seeking positive publicity as they travel to a small conservative town in Indiana to assist a student, Emma, who was not allowed to attend prom with her partner.
The Prom was made into a motion picture in 2020 featuring an ensemble cast led by Meryl Streep, James Corden and Nicole Kidman.
“Dee Dee has a really good progression throughout the show, it’s been really wonderful playing a character that has such growth,” Truscott said. “She starts off as a narcissist, she’s written off as a narcissist in the New York Times after opening her show.
“Then she meets Tom Hawkins, the principal at the school in Indiana we travel to and they fall in love. He, as an average principal, helps her become a better person who puts others before herself. They go down to solve an issue for publicity, but then she learns to really care about those people.”
Perry, who plays the role of Barry Glickman, echoed the sentiment on playing a character who evolves considerably.
“It’s really fun to play a character like that,” Perry said. “He realizes that he relates to all of the struggles that Emma is going through. It becomes less about publicity and more about doing the right thing and you see that growth in a couple of key scenes.”
“The great thing about this show is that through Emma’s story and helping her, you see a glimpse into everybody’s life,” Truscott added. “Barry and his story with his prom, Dee Dee and her character growth and the character Angie shows growth in a bit of her story too.
“It’s not just about Emma and Alyssa, it’s about all of us. It’s a show that tells the story of tons of people.”
The production has been months in the works with auditions taking place at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Since September, the group has met four times per week for 90 minutes as they go scene by scene.
“It’s a big commitment,” Perry said. “But there’s not a doubt in my mind for a second that it’s not worth it. It’s something I enjoy so much, and I think that’s true for everyone.
“It’s a nice filter because you get people that you can tell really want to be in this musical and are willing to make that time commitment to do something they love and do something bigger.”
The show features themes of inclusivity and acceptance highlighting LGBTQ+ rights, mature humour and mild language with parental guidance suggested.
Tickets for The Prom can be purchased here.
