Given their roles, scripts, and music in the spring, Patriot Players worked throughout their own summers to get this show up on its feet before the school year even started.
The theatre department recently put on the show “Theory of Relativity.” This show was put on by the Patriot Players, a varsity auditioned drama group. As a core part of their experience, the Players participate in leadership training and focus on preparing for one exclusive annual production.. This year it’s a group of 12 individuals who put on a musical for the first show of the year.
“The moment the show was announced, I began listening to the sound track over and over again, kinda just getting the music and the stories in my head then and there.” Senior Ryan McConachie stated, The Patriot Players were expected to come into the new school year with an established character and the lines along with the music were to be completely memorized in August.
“I played Jenny and Mira,” junior Grace Chladek said. “I had to figure out a way to somewhat combine the two into one character. Doing that really helped me create an entire backstory for the character and why she is the way she is,“ she said. Whether they had long solos or mini scenes they made sure to stay prepared.
“Theory of Relativity” was about the connections people make throughout life. The show consists of a bunch of seemingly random songs and monologues with individuals or groups of people. As the show goes on we realize that in one way or another these people know each other, even if not directly.
The connections the actors made on stage often directly translated to the actual relationships these actors had.
“Because this cast and crew was so small, it was very easy to quickly get close to everyone,” Chladek said.
“When there is a small group of people all doing the same things and going through the same experiences, it’s easy to connect with them.” The cast was a smaller group, as in the nature of a show for the Patriot Players group.
“Before being in Theory, I knew all the people in the cast, but I didn’t really know them. But after being in Patriot Players, I was really glad I was given a chance to become closer friends with these people,” McConachie said.
The Patriot players will continue to work in leadership throughout the school year. They will be helping in shows later down the line and be a mentor towards the underclassman and new members to the department.
