Winter sports are now in the groove of the season, but another activity is just beginning: the all-school play.  The play that was chosen this year is “Rotten Apples,” which features characters ranging from Red Riding Hood to Rumplestiltskin to Pinocchio to Froggy.

“This year’s play is a mix of a murder mystery with fairy-tale characters, which is a unique play because it is like a crossover,” said freshman Izaiah Hancock, who is playing the Big Bad Wolf.

To choose this play, director Matt Gunter has a four-step process that includes reviewing scripts, determining participation, discussing production elements and managing time. 

He starts by “reading through multiple scripts to gather insights and ideas.” Then he uses surveys to see how many students will be involved. Everyone involved then discusses set, lighting and sound and “whether these elements are feasible for the chosen script.” Finally, Gunter makes sure that they have the time needed for the production, “setting realistic deadlines and milestones” for different stages of the process.

Once the play was decided, Gunter set the schedule for auditions and practices.

“At the end of December, we had auditions from the week of 15th-20th where the students could audition for any part they wish. The roster then was chosen on January 4th-5th and our first read-through was on January 6th. Through the months of January, February, March and April we work on blocking, characterization, sets, sound effects, lighting, and then we have tech,” Gunter said.

The process of the play also comes with some challenges.

“I think the hardest part is kind of just staying on task because when you’re up on stage and it’s a ton of your friends, you’re sitting there talking a lot of the time, and you get off track very easily,” said freshman Kaydi Ward, who is playing the part of Stepmother. 

For junior Lexi Bisaillon, who has been doing the play since seventh grade, a challenge is the limitations of Yutan’s facilities.

“Some of the challenges are that we have a small stage, and with a small stage, we have to arrange our set in a way that it’ll fit the stage and all the characters at the same time,” Bisaillon said.

Students’ busy schedules provide yet another challenge. 

“Another challenge we encounter is scheduling around basketball games and various other activities,” Gunter said. ”Flexibility is essential as we navigate practice locations and attendance on any given night.”

Through all the hard parts, they are still feeling good about the play so far.

“I feel very hopeful with what we’re doing because we have a larger cast than we have in previous years, so there’s a lot more freedom with what we can do,” said Bisaillon, who is playing the part of Rumplestiltskin. 

For everyone to perform the best they can, they have to work hard in practice.

“Every evening, practice start time is usually around six to six-thirty. We go over our lines, block and if there is choreography, we practice what to do for that as well,” Hancock said.

Not only do they have to practice with everyone three times a week, but some students also have to work on the play outside of practices.

“If you have a big part, then you’re gonna have to take it outside of the practices and learn your lines. Like for me, for example, I have over 200 lines in the play, so I have to memorize my lines and practice on my characterization outside of the practices,” Bisaillon said.

Even through every challenge and practice, everyone enjoys doing the play for multiple reasons.

“The all-school play is like a big family. That is what makes it so fun. You don’t have to worry about being judged; you can truly be yourself,” Ward said.