An Interview With the Director and Stage Manager of Vistamar’s Student Production

This year’s student-led production cast has started rehearsals on the one act; You the Jury. The performances will be on Monday, April 28th and Tuesday, April 29th, both at 5 PM. Get ready to witness a suspenseful court case and hear many contradicting witness testimonies. The fate of Bill Hughes lies in the jury’s hands. Will you be summoned for jury duty?

Two Vistamar seniors, Jessica T. and Gigi S. are producing the play. This week, I got to interview the two seniors to hear what it is like directing and stage managing a Vistamar play.

Lilah: What is it like going from a student participating in the theatre program to working on directing (Jessica) and stage managing (Gigi) a play?

Jessica: For me it is really different. I have never really directed before but as an actor I have watched directors take time with their actors to help them break down their characters and I am trying to do that with our cast. We have a really great cast so it is a lot of fun so far!

Gigi: From a design standpoint it has not been too different yet because cultivating the ideas is similar to the other designs I have done in the past. As for stage managing, I haven’t done it yet, but it has been fun to experience the beginning stages of rehearsals more and learn how they work.  

Lilah: What has been the hardest part of directing?

Jessica: The cast is very connected and they have all bonded and are all friends which is great but it is sometimes hard to run things and stay focused. Also just preparing myself to be a director because I came in not knowing how to direct so I was kind of terrified. So just trying to gain confidence with being a director for the first time has been hard.

Lilah: What has been the hardest part of stage management?

Gigi: To be honest, compared to other parts of tech that I have done, stage managing hasn’t been as difficult. Also working with Jessica who is an amazing director and is able to handle a lot of things has made stage managing a lot easier. The hardest part would probably be designing the set because it is hard to be unique and bring in creative ideas when I have a set image of a courtroom in my mind.

Lilah: What are you most looking forward to with this production?

Jessica: After meeting with everyone and having them get to know their characters more, I am excited to see the characters really blossom.

Gigi: I am really excited to see everything come together with all the designs, the characters, all the time we put into doing everything.

Lilah: Why should people come see this show?

Jessica: I think people should come see the show to see such a fun and hilarious cast. And they should come see the show to have the experience of interacting with the production and getting to decide how it ends.

Gigi: I think people should come see the show because it is really unique. It is always a different experience, and you will never have the same show twice. The moment you walk in you are a part of the show and have the opportunity to be on the jury which is really amazing.