I enter the classroom of LC123 to find twenty-four people milling around the crowded space. Everyone is either singing or talking while making big animated movements. You can feel the restless energy of each individual. It’s the Spring Awakening cast, called for a Friday night rehearsal.
Spring Awakening, as summarized by the Musical Theatre International (MTI), is “An angsty rock musical adaptation of the seminal play about the trials and tribulations of growing up.” The show has won countless Tony awards and has been performed on Broadway. The show was originally written in 1891 by Frank Wedekind and banned in it’s country of origin, Germany, due to the content until the 1990’s. The show touches on sex, rape, suicide, masturbation, and sexuality. It definitely isn’t for the faint of heart or innocent children. Don’t bring your kids or conservative grandma, because there will definitely be some things to explain later.
Picture: Actress Lea Michelle in Broadway version of Spring Awakening
I sat down with Sarah first. She walked over and crouched down next to me on the floor so that I could hear her over the hustle and bustle of Actors Creating Theatre (ACT). Sarah is a junior Professional Writing Major and serving as a co-director to ACT’s upcoming musical Spring Awakening.
Picture: Sarah Horvath
Q: “How does it feel directing for such a big musical?”
A: “It’s Intimidating and super exciting. It’s a fun challenge to be able to be in charge of a big milestone for ACT.”
Q: “What’s been the biggest obstacle for you so far?”
A: “Balancing being a student and director as well as being friends with everyone. It’s a lot of work, but we’re trusting everyone to do their part to help us out.“
The Spring Awakening cast consists of a whopping thirty-one students and professors. That’s right; Dr. Alvaini, The Professor Mace duo, and a few others have joined in on the fun. ACT opened their productions to include any and all people affiliated with the university. Previous shows included individuals who worked for the South Dining Hall without student membership. One of ACT’s missions is to remain all-inclusive to anyone involved with the university, and Spring Awakening contains the most diversity ACT has seen so far. With a show as big as this, one can’t help but wonder how two students can pull it off. The show is incredibly well-known in the world of theatre with a killer soundtrack and a cast, and in ACT’s case, of over thirty people.
Q: “How much do you personal devote to the production of this show?”
A: (Sarah exhales and laughs nervously.) “How many hours are there? About four to six hours a day for rehearsals and planning.”
Q: “Have you had moments of doubt? This is a huge production. I can’t imagine the stress level.”
A: “I know we can do it, but sometimes they make my heart beat a little faster [not in a good way]. Because I love them and because they terrify me.”
Q: “Terrify you how?”
A: (More nervous laughter from Sarah) “Well, we just learned two arm moves and everyone said ‘oh shit.’ I love them though!”
Q: “What do you hope to accomplish once the show hits the stage for the big night?”
A: “The audience to react to it. I want to know that they understand the show and appreciate the messages it has because it has really good messages. We just want to make sure it comes across that way to everyone because it’s the 125th anniversary and it’s still so relevant. It’s a call for social change and I feel like it could really do a lot if we pull it off correctly.”
After we finished, Sarah walked over and quickly helped a cast member struggling with an arm move. He nailed it on the next try.
Chris Swanson is co-directing Spring Awakening with Sarah. He has starred in several of ACT’s previous productions and also co-directed the previous show Reasons to be Pretty. He was sporting his staple outfit consisting of a cardigan over a band shirt, ripped khakis and black and white Converse sneakers. I prepared to type as fast as possible because this guy had a lot to say.
Picture: Chris Swanson
Q: “What has been the toughest part of doing this musical for you?”
A: (Chris exhales deeply and takes a moment to think. Then he fires off rapidly as I try to keep up.) “It is way heavier than we intended plot-wise. I love it. It’s beautiful, and it made me think deeper about things and issues and how to empathize a lot better. These topics are not easy, you know? You would think the light comedy makes it a bit easier, but it’s not.”
Q: “It’s a very dark musical, but I’m glad there are some happy tid-bits. What’s been your favorite part of the process so far?”
A: “Getting to know a lot of the kids in this role. We have a lot of extraordinary talent. The people really made it for me. We are a weird family, but I couldn’t imagine doing without them.”
Right as he says this, a member dabs, one does a random jaunty dance and someone belts a random tune.
Q: “How is it working with your co-director, Sarah?”
A: “[She] saves my life. I couldn’t do this alone. I haven’t had experience directing by myself. Sarah keeps me focused and motivated, and I like to think I help her too. We have two different visions, but they work incredibly well together.”
Q: “The musical is very “coming of age.” What do you relate to within the topics the show covers?”
A: “Hard question, but I like it. I relate to some of the topics because I’ve unfortunately dealt with some of the issues. I’m familiar with it unfortunately. I wish I could say I relate with the characters, but they’re so eccentric in their own way, and there are just so many flawed characters. You can see qualities in each that you relate with.”
Q: “A show demands a lot of work. Sarah told me that you guys devote a lot of time to it. How has the musical affected your personal life?”
A: “Oh my god, it is my life. It is every struggle in my life right now. I dunno, its definitely helped me grow. It’s kinda like the center of college right now. It’s hard to explain, it is my life, simply put. I’ve grown intimate relationships with the people. I’ve really gotten to know them and learned to disclose information with some of them, and that really helped me open up.”
Q: “So it’s been very stressful, life consuming and emotionally draining. I have to ask, if you went back in time, would you do this again?”
Chris didn’t even take a second to think.
A: “Absolutely. I like the show, but as much stress as it as put on my life, it’s therapy. The days we have off are miserable. I go out of my way to be here. I only missed one day for a conflict and missed everyone for that one day.”
Q: “With that said, what do you hope the audience gets out of this show?”
A: “I hope they learn. It’s very political. It’s very change orientated. It’s a coming of age story and that’s what we have always witnessed. It’s a concept we are used to seeing, and I think it’s easy to understand. It unintentionally makes the adults the antagonists and shows the importance of a new mind and ideas. We can’t turn that down, and if we do, we are only meant for self-destruction. We have to embrace change. It’s okay to be scared at first, it’s normal, but it’s completely necessary to change.”
Sarah sashayed back over to the two of us to wrap it up.
Q: “Any last words?”
Chris: “Come see Spring Awakening on February 4th!
Sarah: “I second that!”
For more information on becoming a member of ACT (Actors Creating Theatre) follow them on social media. They are always accepting new members!
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