The Music department has been working to prepare for its annual fall musical, which will be “Legally Blonde.” Students involved in the musical come together almost every night to rehearse and prepare lines to get ready for the show, which will be performed November 9-11 at 7p.m. each night.
In the musical “Legally Blonde”, the show centers around Elle Woods, who is played by senior Mataya Raisleger.
“I just thought it would be fun to be a lead,” Raisleger said. “In my freshman year at Kaukauna High School, I was in ‘Legally Blonde’, but didn’t end up going through with it due to the effects COVID had on the music department. But after watching the performance, I hoped for another chance to do it as the role of Elle. It’s crazy how it found its way back to me.”
Raisleger also explained that after school, practices usually last for about two to three hours. She will also practice for about thirty minutes at home, rehearsing her lines and doing choreography, and will get help from her sisters if needed. Helping the actors get ready for their roles is senior Layten Sobieski, who is the student director and stage manager.
“My responsibilities with being a stage manager would be calling the show, so calling all of the lighting, sound, and scene changes cues,” Sobieski said. “I also help with making sure that actors are doing what they are supposed to be doing.”
The entire musical will be directed by the new choir director, Abbe Lane. Alongside her regular workload and responsibilities, she works on the musical with the student actors and makes sure that everything runs smoothly.
“Preparing for a musical is probably some of the hardest work I’ve ever done. There are so many things I have to think about and plan including rehearsal schedules, casting, set designs, set building, and painting, though the list can go on and on,” Lane said. “The most important thing for us to remember through grueling rehearsals and setbacks in set building is that there will be a fun and beautiful product at the end of the process in November.”
Aside from nightly rehearsals, actors are in charge of practicing and getting into character during their own free time. This includes practicing lines and choreography that needs to be memorized.
“The students work in rehearsals, but they also put in a lot of work outside of rehearsals to prepare the music, lines, blocking, and dancing required for their role. It’s a lot of work regardless of your character,” Lane said.
Lane says that she chose “Legally Blonde” as the musical because it was one of her favorites. It also serves as a stark contrast to the musical prior.
“Whenever I brought this show up to my students, their faces lit up and I could see the excitement they had for it,” Lane said. “The music is fun, the message of resilience despite persistent obstacles is important, and it’s something I knew the students would be excited about.”
Overall, a lot of hard work and dedication is put into the fall musical. The entire musical crew has put in a lot of work and effort to make it a great show for the community to see, according to Lane. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Oct. 30. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students.
Senior Layten Sobieski, alumna Allie Borland ‘21, and music teacher Abbe Lane cue sound and music changes for the actors. “Some rehearsals are focused on set changes, lights, and sound effects,” Lane said.
Sophomore AnnaMae Clinch, sophomore Addison Dominick, and freshman Gwendolyn Bruce-DeMuri practice the musical’s opening song before rehearsal officially starts.
Senior Mataya Raisleger practices choreography during practice. In the scene, Elle Woods is convincing Harvard to let her in.
