Ms. Carolina Grau is the new theater teacher, and is helping us put on a wonderful play! In this interview we will get to know her and find out what is happening with that play.
What play are you doing and how did you choose it?
We are doing the “Addams Family Musical”. We had to think about the fact that we are starting so late, so I needed a musical that didn’t need a lot of set pieces involved because a lot of set pieces means a lot of blocking of movement. I also needed a musical that was a musical but didn’t have a lot of dancing because I’m both choreographer and director, and I’m trying to get my stage management prepped and teaching them how to stage manage so I’m stage managing as well. It’s a lot to ask for in a very short period of time. The show resonated with the administration. I gave them a list of shows and had a couple of shows in there. I had “Mean Girls”, I had “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee”, but none of those really resonated with administration and Sister Pat said that one would be best.
How did auditions go?
Auditions were awesome. The kids showed so much potential, and beauty, and desire, and there was a lot of talent in that room and I’m really honored to be here for that.
Who got the main role and why?
I was really super impressed with everyone, but Bel Martinez, she threw herself on the floor. That was one of the more memorable ones where she made choices and that’s what theater is all about. Yes you want to take direction, that’s really important, and take notes and you want to help the director realize a vision, but you have to remember that the actors have visions and their vision is important. So, when actors make choices that’s very noticeable to an audience, so she made a lot of choices. She got Wednesday Addams.
How is production of the play going so far?
It’s going well! It’s a little slow because I don’t work here so Sister Kaitlin has been just a blessing from God. She’s really helped to create a cohesive unit with you guys, so she is sort of my eyes and ears on the ground and I basically come in and do the fun part. She has to do all of the leg work and I’m so grateful for her. The parents have been amazing, very supportive, the boosters are very cool to work with because it allows me to just direct and pay attention to blocking and all of that stuff.
When will the play be?
It will be April 4, 5, and 6. We will have a performance on Friday night, Saturday night, and matinee on Sunday.
How long have you been doing theater?
I have been doing theater for about 15 years. 10 of those years I worked on stage. I used to do stage management, I’ve written, and directed since 2010.
What’s your favorite part of theater?
My favorite part of theater is telling a story. Whether I’m on stage or offstage you’re telling a story. I’m also a properties designer, so I make props for professional theaters here in Theater Zone, and I have loved creating pieces that they are going to use in the plays and musicals and through that I can tell a story as well. I look at time periods and I look at the age of the props. All of that stuff just goes into the storytelling which is why people do theater.
What do you think is an important part of a show?
I’m a firm believer that an ensemble can make or break a show. When you have an ensemble with talent, that really does make a show better than it would be without an ensemble. Ensembles are extremely important in a show. I’ve always been in the ensemble and I decided five years ago when I got my fifth ensemble part, that without me the show would not happen. I gave it my very best. I just got my first lead. In my 15 years of theater, I have never had a lead and now I feel like I’m prepared for that because I was able to give as much as I possibly could to the ensemble and what that meant for the overall show.
We are so excited to put on this play and are very thankful that we have Ms. Grau to help us.
