An egg-celent performance from Milford High Schools very own –this year’s musical, Honk, was an overwhelming success. Nearly sold out on all three shows, this musical reached those of all ages and flocks. The musical presented the story of the ugly duckling, told through song and dance. As “Ugly” played by Grant Camden veers off the farm and loses his place, he encounters many friends who help him to find his way through the world and eventually back to the duckyard. While Ugly is missing from the farm, his mother “Ida” searches woods and water to find her baby duckling and eventually be reunited with her son. Upon being reunited Ugly goes from a duckling to having all the splendor of a noble swan. It was a poultry tale of folk down on the farm!
Though the musical itself is only one weekend. The rehearsal process lasted nearly 3 months. By far the most taxing part of the production process is “tech week”. This is the week before the show. Students involved in the production began rehearsals at 2 pm every day and left at nearly 10:30 every night. Sophomore Paige Fiedler says she practically “lived at the school” during tech week. In addition to tech week rehearsals there were also multiple closed performances for Huron Valleys 2nd graders, as well as Milford Townships resident seniors. However, even though the rehearsals may be overwhelming in the end it was all worth it for actors to have their moments in the spotlight. Despite the fact we may not see them, a huge contributor to the success of a show is the stage and tech crews. They are making sure scene changes are happening, props are in the right space, microphones are on, lights are where they need to be, and so much more. Tech Director Bethany Stewart says that “it’s fun to see all the work that goes into a show that an audience may not think about”. Crew is also an amazing opportunity for those who would rather not be on stage. Stage Manager Kendal Hefke says “I love the crew because though I may be unable to sing it still gives me a chance to be involved with theater”. So thank you to the crew for everything they did behind the scenes.
Theater is widely known as a place of collaboration. Due to the nature of the production process, the bonds made within the program are different from any other. For that reason it makes it particularly hard for the seniors moving on from what they may consider to be their second home and family. Theater is about so much more than what you see on stage. It’s about the inside jokes made at the 8 hour choreography rehearsal, and the laughter shared at the corny lines. Hana Scripture says that her favorite part of this show was actually before the curtain had even risen. “My favorite moment was waiting on stage before the opening number, me and my fellow cast members Alana Banier and Amelia Dalbis would simply link hands and listen to the Overture, it kept me calm and reminded me that the performance was not what mattered, it was the friends I made along the way”. This quote is completely representative of the comfort and chosen family that students involved can find within the arts and theater. Theater is more than just a performance; it’s a community formed because of a common love.
So please, when you can, support your local arts. Not only is it a fun outing for those of all ages but it also helps to shape the youth of our community. The arts give everyone a place to belong and shine. Milford High School has two more mainstage shows this year, which means that you have two more opportunities to see the work these actors put into their craft and help to fund a future generation of artists. Come see the winter play “Vacancy in paradise” on Feb. 28 and March 1st as well as Milford’s Choral program POPS this April 5 and 6.