Hastings High drama director, Katie Funkey, is starting this 2019-2020 school year with the theatre play, Almost, Maine.
This modern play is split up into little scenes, or vignettes, of different couples showing different types of relationships, such as falling in love. It takes place in a town called Almost in the mountains of Maine.
“All the scenes are surrounded with the topic of love and the cool thing about this play is that all of them are technically happening at once signified by the northern lights going to come at the end of each scene,” Matthew Lundquist, who will play the leading role of Pete, said.
The cast and crew auditioned for the production in the second week of school, and they’ve been working on it ever since. Generally, Funkey chose actors who are confident in their decisions but are also open to learning new things and able to take criticism.
“What I’m looking for in actors is somebody who can make big choices, but also somebody who is directable or coachable, so somebody who can take direction and work with others and things like that,” Funkey said.
The actors prepare for the performance by having after school rehearsals with their corresponding scene partners and often memorizing their lines throughout their day. Some also use online resources and apps to help them remember their scripts.
“The way that I’m preparing for my role is memorizing my lines using Quizlet as well as going to every rehearsal that I can and try to work in extra rehearsals with my scene partner Alice Franssen (who will pay Glorie, a hiker),” Ben Anderson, who will play the role of a repairman named East, said.
This is the first production that Funkey has ever repeated in her time as a director. It is one of her personal favorites, and after she did it nine years ago, she has always been excited to do it again with the right group.
“[The show is] just really lovely and we had such a good audience response last time, and we’re really excited for people to see it again,” Funkey said.
Funkey and the leading actors generally believe that all of the viewers are going to enjoy the show and hope that everyone can come and watch the show.
It’s really good, and a lot of people are really excited about it. [The entire cast and crew have] been working really hard,” Linnea Howie, who will be playing Jeanette, said.
They perform on November 1st and 2nd at 7:30 pm, and November 3rd at 2:30 pm. For adults it costs ten dollars, and for Hastings High students the play is free. Be sure to come out and support your Hastings High theatre program!
