Marriotts Ridge’s 2024 Fall Play has been a long-awaited event for this year. With performances set for November 14th, 15th and 16th, Steel Magnolias will take place in the auditorium and will feature cast members from the GT Theatre class. All MRHS students, friends and family members are welcome. Tickets are currently on sale and may sell quickly, as only 150 people can be seated per performance.
Steel Magnolias is a southern-based drama, romance and mystery involving six women in a salon. These women love to gossip and share memories, however; one of these women have a chilling secret, turning these best friends into enemies.
The upcoming play proves to be unique because the seats are on the stage itself, meaning the audience is closer to the performance than ever before. Front-row seats are what is known as the “splash zone,” as actual running water will be used during the play.
“The fall play is our first time doing what is called Black Box style seating,” explained Theatre Teacher Laura Greffen, “Instead of the usual plays where you are sitting out in the auditorium 16, 20, 100 feet away, you are almost close enough to touch.”
Along with this, other physical differences are prevalent. When being so close to the set, the audience can notice small details that they wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. Depending on where the audience is sitting, they may notice details other audience members can’t. In addition to the physical differences, emotional differences are also present.
“When the characters have a moment where they’re laughing, crying or you see pain, it affects you differently when you are so close. It feels like you are there in the room with them,” Greffen elaborated.
The audience will likely feel emotions at a much deeper level with the black box-style seating in comparison to sitting far back in the auditorium seats.
This show is the first time that Marriotts Ridge has done this type of production, causing excitement among many. Steel Magnolias features a very selective cast, with only seven members. For many of them, this is not their first time playing a lead, and they look forward to playing another one; however, the nerves never fully go away.
“I have been performing for quite a long time, whether it be dance or musicals. I always get nervous because it’s a sign that I care. I trust the process and turn that nervous energy into excitement,” said senior Charlotte Zoller, who plays the role of M’Lynn Eatenton in the play.
While this isn’t Zoller’s first lead role, this is her first time playing a role in black box-style seating.
“I am more nervous because this show will be set in a “black box” theatre style…I have never performed this close to an audience before,” Zoller continued.
But for a few others in the play, it is their first lead role. A Lead role can tend to be nerve-wracking in general, but for those who haven’t played a lead role before, it fills them with fright.
“This isn’t my first performance, but it’s my first lead role. I’m way more nervous for this show than I have been for previous shows, but I’m also really excited. I can’t wait to perform my first lead role,” explained junior Neya Kosha, who plays Clairee Blecher in the play.
This long-awaited show brings excitement to many students and performers as it is the first show of the year. It’s a stepping stone to the many theatre productions to come. Starting off the year strong with Steel Magnolias, the fun awaits!
