By Izzy Requa, Sports Editor
This year’s fall play, “Still Life with Iris” takes a drastic turn from the historical fiction plays done in the past few years. With a change in genre and directors, the play offers many new experiences and challenges for the cast and crew.
In “Still Life with Iris,” a little girl named Iris lives in a land called Nocturno, where they put the spots on ladybugs and lift the sun into the sky every morning. Iris’ memory is taken, and she is sent away to a different land. All she wants is to get her memories back and remember who she is.
In a contrast from the plays in previous years, “Still Life with Iris” is a fantasy play. Technical director Monica Penn explains that this is a significant change.
“It makes people think outside the box and when you walk away from it, it kind of makes you think how you can tie it to other things. It’s just a neat story,” Penn said.
Director Lauren Deal is excited about the uniqueness of this year’s play and is taking on the task of being director for the first time by herself.
“We wanted to do something kind of light and we haven’t done a fantasy since 2013, so it seemed like another good year to do a fantasy show,” Deal said.
Deal, who has co-directed with Penn for five years, is looking forward to seeing what she can accomplish as director, but is also facing some challenges along the way.
“I’m used to having her there to bounce ideas off of and to discuss whatever is going on in rehearsal. This year when it’s just me, it’s been challenging, but I’ve enjoyed it,” Deal said. “It’s definitely a transition. It’s definitely a learning experience.“
Deal isn’t the only one gaining new experiences out of this year’s play. Senior Grace Hook is also facing some changes.
“My character is kind of more, I don’t want to say serious, but more toned-down than characters I’ve played before,” Hook said.
After playing bubbly characters in previous plays, including Lydia Bennet in last year’s “Pride and Prejudice,” Hook is looking forward to the challenges and rewards of playing a more serious role.
“I have to play this maternal, more mature role, and that’s been quite an experience for me. I didn’t realize that I had a ‘child’s voice’ until Ms. Deal told me,” Hook said. “So I’m actually having to change the way I speak and that is new for me. But it’s been fun and it’s pretty awesome having Grace Hewitt as my daughter, so it works out great.”
Hook feels that this play has a lot to offer the audience and can’t wait to share what she and the cast have worked to create.
“The play is very funny if you pick up on some of the jokes, and just how random some things can be. A lot of stuff comes out from left field,” Hook said. “It’s going to be a really great experience, not only for the people on-stage and in the production, but I think the audience will have a lot of fun with it as well.”
The play takes center stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday – Nov. 8-10 – at FFHS’ David E. Oaksmith Auditorium.
“Come support your peers,” Penn said. “If you have a friend that is acting or in tech, they would love to have you come watch what they’ve been working on. If that’s not enough to rope you in, it’s just a cool story that has a lot of fantastical elements, and we have a few tricks up our sleeve.”
Junior Izzy Requa can be reached at requais0227@daretolearn.org.
