Harrington Theater Arts Firm produces “Little Ladies” with large expectations and a brief deadline

BY JENI NANCE
Workers Reporter

Primarily based on the traditional novel written by Louisa Might Alcott, “Little Ladies” was first produced right into a musical in 2005 by Allan Knee. It follows the journey of the 4 March sisters — Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy — from childhood to womanhood. 

After 4 quick weeks of preparation and rehearsal, Harrington Theater Arts Firm (HTAC) carried out “Little Ladies” in mid-March at Bacchus Theater. As their first of two performances this spring, stakes had been excessive to set the tone for this semester. 

Why “Little Ladies”? HTAC works in a democratic system by which members current concepts for reveals firstly of the semester and so they vote on which reveals to carry out, with “Little Ladies” being voted as their first efficiency. The second present of the semester, “Firm,” will likely be on the finish of April in Pearson Corridor.

With such a brief turnaround time for this present, solid and crew had been underneath immense stress. 

“There have been a ton of rehearsals, working very arduous each week to ensure it was prepared,” Sophia Johnson, vp of HTAC and home supervisor for “Little Ladies,” mentioned.  

Auditions had taken place the primary week of the spring semester, earlier than most had been settled into their lessons. Consisting of solely 10 performers, there have been much more one-on-one scenes compared to different musicals. 

As a result of time constraint, the solid and crew bumped into some challenges. Senior Colette Mahar, who performed Meg March within the manufacturing, mentioned she was unfamiliar with the vocal vary she was solid for, however was capable of adapt nicely. 

“The vocal half that I used to be assigned to just isn’t sometimes in my vary, it’s a bit of bit increased than typical,” mentioned Mahar. “It took extra apply than typical simply to be comfy in that vocal vary.”

The connection between solid and crew was essential to the success of the manufacturing. As a result of measurement of this present, these concerned had been capable of create a detailed, tight-knit relationship.

“We spend a lot time right here too, being round folks that you simply actually get pleasure from and need to spend time with is such an enormous a part of it,” Mahar mentioned. “It simply makes you extra comfy on stage and making decisions and being weak.” 

Whereas HTAC receives most of its funding from the college, it additionally fundraises in quite a few methods. The corporate lately held an occasion at honeygrow and ceaselessly sells merchandise, concessions and raffle tickets at its reveals as one other solution to diversify earnings. Grabbing the eye of extra college students can be a giant aim of the corporate.

People who attended the present mentioned the present turned out nicely and that they had been drastically impressed by the ultimate product. 

“It was astonishing, it was so good,” Rebecca Masi, a freshman and HTAC member, mentioned. “I had excessive expectations and so they actually went above and past.” 

Masi performed Dragon in HTAC’s fall manufacturing of “Shrek the Musical.” She got here out to look at the present to assist her fellow membership members. Whereas she received’t be in any productions this semester, Masi will proceed to assist by attending extra reveals sooner or later. 

“Watching it, I want I did it,” Masi mentioned after attending the present.

Editor’s be aware: Sophia Johnson was beforehand a senior reporter for The Evaluation. She has not been affiliated with The Evaluation since Spring 2022.