The Theater Program Takes the Stage, or the Island

The Fair Grove Theater Program recently had their Spring Play, which premiered on Thursday, April 6th and showed on the dates of Friday, April 7th and Saturday, April 8th.

For the spring play this year the theater program performed The Island of Dr. Libris. This was a play based on the book by Chris Grabenstein. Billy, played separately by Nico Jenkins (11) and Preston Hicks, is spending his summer at a cabin which he and his mother rented from Dr. Libris. 

Nico Jenkins (11) explained the play, “Unfortunately, the cabin is not equipped with any electronic devices. While he is there, he realizes that when he reads the books inside the cabin the characters can be heard on the island across the lake.” Billy goes to investigate and meets many different characters like Hercules played by Ayden Teaster (11), Robin Hood played by Luke Engel (10), Maid Marian played at different times by Mack Cavin (11) and Madi Ellis (12), and many others. 

Billy was then scared off the island and met West (played separately by Natalie Nolan (12) and Malachi Cockroft (7). The moral of the story is that Billy realizes he can have fun without technology. 

Jenkins said, “We spent six weeks rehearsing for the play, however, this year we chose to do an A and B cast, so each cast only got three weeks of rehearsal time.” While in rehearsal they worked on blocking the show, creating their characters, working on memorization and fine tuning the technical aspects. Cavin said, “Reading your lines with another person on stage is completely different than remembering lines while just reading through, so going to rehearsals and interacting with other actors was very crucial.”

They also served food at the showing, Cooper Zumwalt (12) said, “Because this production was a dinner theater, we had to work on organizing and executing the serving aspect.” 

Zumwalt added, “One funny thing that happened was, on the final night, the Island Cast decided to go a little bit rogue and have some fun on stage. They added a couple new movements and gestures that really enhanced the humor of the script. Sitting back and watching it from the tech booth, it was a lot of fun to see them comfortable enough in their characters to be able to have a little fun and try something new.” 

Jenkins explained, “Many of the jokes that appeared the last night were never rehearsed but it all came together and was honestly my favorite performance I have been a part of.”

Jenkins added, “Aside from that I made so many great memories with everyone involved in the show and I could not have asked for a better group of people to share the stage with.”