Prep to present “HONK!”
By Kenzee Hampton
Take a seat, preparation for “HONK!” is in full swing. The theater teachers and students are working together to create a beautiful show for the community to connect and watch as a whole.
Photo of Dodge inspecting the 6ft. platform legs taken by Kenzee Hampton
Preparation for a show takes a lot of time and effort. First, they start with looking for a show in May. There are many factors in choosing a show—they figure out what they are wanting to say, how they are wanting to design the stage and costumes as well.
Ryan King, the theater director, states, “We ask ourselves, ‘who is it for the students or the audience? What is the point of us doing the show?’”
As the theater crew wrestles with these questions, they officially start production in November where they will design costumes, design props, start casting and, later on, add the music/sound effects. Throughout this production so far, they have had many adversities—such as absences and even snow days getting in the way.
King says with a confident smile, “[We are working right now, and] we are being very productive.”
Photo of the completed 6ft. and 5ft. platform skeletons taken by Bri Blair
Throughout the process of the show, the theater teachers and kids strive to give attention and thanks to all of the people working the show.
“[Most] people don't know all the working parts in the show,” said King, “If you think about it the acting is the base… you have all of these [jobs] across the board… ”
A few jobs that must be done for a show: set construction, set painting, costumes, props, makeup, hair, lights and so much more.
With so many jobs, there are many people that have to come together to get a production to be show-ready. When King first started at Owasso he was the only teacher that would help get shows together. Now our theater is beyond grateful for all the teachers willing to lend a hand in the preparation for the show. Now that the Owasso theater has more hands-on-deck, King helps assign jobs and Alison Dodge, the Stagecraft and Speech and Debate teacher, has devised a group for set design, costumes and everything that is needed to be done behind the scenes. Dave Green, the PAC manager, has worked tirelessly on the PAC in the last year—he is one of the reasons why it is so beautiful and high-tech. The theater crew also has choreographers that come in to help as well.
King continues, “Five years ago, we had no orchestra—now we have added Mr. Harris (Band teacher) and Mrs. Kwanzaa (Choir Teacher)… Also, Mrs. Roberson and Wall (Choir Teachers.) They all have been a wonder .”
With all this preparation, it’s important to know what the show is about—the ugly duckling.
“I think high schoolers relate to it because there is a loneliness to it; I think the way we are isolated. When I heard of this show over the summer I knew I had to do it.” expresses King.
The goal for the show is to reach out to the audience and, in a sense, relate to them. Everyone at some point in their life has felt like the ugly duckling—the outcast. As they reach out to the audience they want each and every person in the audience to know that the show is a celebration of being the ugly duckling—unique.
“It's hard for some of the kids to get through because there is just not a dry eye in the room,” said King, “It’s very touching, sentimental and very funny.”
Furthermore, something else that is sentimental about this show is it is the first year they are doing a sensory show for the special needs classes. The theater has been trying to have a sensory show for the past three years; this year it will happen. Every year it seems like the special needs class has to sit at the back of the theater, where everything that is put on and done is not for them; the teachers and theater kids want everyone to feel welcomed in the theater.
King states with a smile, “This production will be on the Wednesday before our opening night. So, they will be our first audience to see the show; it will be a special show for them so the lights will be different. The technical effects and the performance will be out to them.”
“HONK!” a show for everyone. The Owasso Theater has never sold out before, and they would love to get close. When people don’t know a show it can be hard to get people to come but everyone knows the ugly duckling. At some point in life, everyone was an ugly duckling. Come to celebrate that with the Owasso Theater on March 3, 4 and 5.