This December, Brebeuf’s theater department, led by Mr. Strader, will present Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. This play will infuse and combine new life into the classic tale. When the play was announced in August, actors and crew members eagerly dived into preparations, excited to bring the iconic story to the stage. “It’s a holiday classic, and everybody knows the story,” said Mr. Strader.
For some time now, Mr. Strader had hoped to direct A Christmas Carol for Brebeuf’s annual play. This year, the timing was finally right. “I wanted to do it for a few years, and because of scheduling, it worked out this year,” he explained. There are a few aspects of the play that are advantageous, as opposed to the spring musical. There is so much production and time that goes into a musical. With a play, “we can spend more time rehearsing and getting to know the characters,” Strader added. The hope is that actors will have more time to get into their character, or as Mr. Strader put it, “sink our teeth into it.”
Casting is always a thoughtful process, with Mr. Strader focused on finding the right fit for each role. “I believe in casting the people that are right for the roles, regardless of how long someone’s been around. If there’s a younger actor that is right for the role, I believe they should have the role,” he said. This approach to casting ensures a strong and diverse cast that are ready to take on the challenge of portraying Dickens’ characters in a slightly modernized setting. “The time period we are producing the story in is different from the original book. We are moving it into the 20th century, as opposed to the 1840s, which is going to be interesting to do in terms of costumes and sets,” Mr. Strader shared.
As the play progresses, the importance of creativity and boldness in performances has been emphasized. “This play is basically a melodrama, so I’m looking for actors who are not afraid to step outside the box, or be a little over the top.” Mr. Strader shared. This will hopefully encourage students to explore the various aspects of their characters and bring a unique energy to the production.
Trying out for the school play or musical is always a little stressful and comes with a lot of pressure. It can be intimidating for everyone, but especially the freshmen who are doing it for the first time. Mr. Strader’s advice to the younger students would be, “Don’t be afraid to be yourself. It’s always a great group of kids, and they have all at one point been in your shoes as freshmen,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to involve yourself or volunteer for more just because you are the youngest. The older kids are there to support you.” This attitude will ideally make the freshman or first time actors feel confident and reassured.
As anticipation builds, everyone is focused on ensuring the production runs smoothly and efficiently. With the combined efforts of the cast and crew, this year’s rendition of A Christmas Carol is shaping up to be a production that will resonate with audiences and capture the spirit of the season.
