Final preparations are underway for Royster Middle School’s Vocal Plus production of “Moana Jr.,” which will premiere on Friday, March 28.
According to Vocal Plus Director Lance Burnett, most of the production is rehearsed during school hours.
“Most of the musical is learned during class, and then as we get closer to performance we begin working outside of school,” Burnett said.
Last semester, Vocal Plus students auditioned for their roles. Since the beginning of this semester, students have learned the songs and memorized their lines. Burnett said they are now putting the final pieces of the play together, including sets, costumes and props.
Beginning on Monday, students started dress rehearsals. To warm up for opening night, Burnett said students will perform a preview of the show at area elementary schools on Thursday.
“Since ‘Moana’ is geared toward the younger kids, I thought we could do something kind of fun,” Burnett said.
For the first time, patrons can purchase VIP tickets for a meet and greet opportunity and a snack ahead of Saturday’s performance. Burnett said VIP tickets cost $20, which allows attendees to meet and take pictures with the cast. VIP ticket holders are also invited to have a Polynesian snack. Also new this year is the ability to buy tickets online, Burnett said.
When it comes to challenges faced, Burnett said designing moving set pieces was the most difficult aspect of constructing the stage.
“This is probably the most complex show we’ve put on set-wise and costume-wise,” Burnett said. “The cool thing about the boat is that Caleb Boulware has an advanced shop class. I went to them with a little pencil sketch.”
Boulware also teaches at RMS. From that sketch, his students created a moving boat without visible wheels.
“They came up with all the solutions,” Burnett said.
Designing costumes for the 22-member cast was another challenge, according to Burnett.
His wife, Mindy, said costume pieces for some shows can be found at thrift stores, but not for this one. Many costume pieces had to be made, with hand-painted details. Burnett said many members of the cast play multiple roles, leading to many costume changes during the show.
Vocal Plus students get to be in one musical during their time at RMS. Burnett said his program is set up so students will get three semesters of traditional choral education and one semester of musical theater during their four semesters in Vocal Plus.
Burnett said one of the best things about directing the play has been watching students blossom as they develop their character.
“Some of these kids have hidden talents that they have never used before,” Burnett said. “We have some really amazing actors.”
Allison Markham, 14, an eighth-grade student at RMS, said she is excited to play Moana. This play will be the second show she has acted in; she said she plans to audition for other plays in the future.
She said her favorite part of this production has been acting with her peers.
“The people are probably the best part. They are all super supportive,” Markham said. “Even when you mess up, they are super sweet.”
Markham said there are still parts of the play that the cast is putting together.
“I know that once we get everything down and perfect, it’s going to be really cool.”
A talented singer, Markham said some songs are more difficult to sing than others.
“There are a few parts where the singing has to be deep in the chest voice and it can be really challenging to hit those notes,” Markham said. “You have to belt it.”
The song she looks forward to performing the most is “Song of the Ancestors.”
“It’s a pretty simple one, but it’s cool.”
“Moana Jr.” will debut Friday evening at Memorial Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7. On Saturday, VIP entry is at 1 p.m. Regular admission tickets will be seated at 1:30, with the show beginning at 2. Tickets can be purchased online at https://gofan.co/app/school/ KS79443.
