As the new school year begins, so does preparation for this year’s fall theater production of “SpongeBob the Musical.” Students and staff are collaborating in daily rehearsals as they work to be stage ready for their performances this Nov. 13-15 at 7 p.m. 

   Theater teacher Sheryl Gibson, who has been working in the drama department since the school opened in 2002, is directing the musical. Spanish teacher Wyatt Ashe is assistant director, and chorus teacher Amy El-Khouri is directing music, with help from science teacher Hanna Kornell.

    Gibson selected “SpongeBob the Musical” because of how familiar she is with the production and the music, including songs written by Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, and John Legend, among other well known artists. This show also offers numerous casting opportunities, providing many students with a chance to be included. 

   “It’s just a lot of fun music and fun characters. I like the opportunity to have nongender-specific characters, so that we could include a lot of people,” Gibson said. “We have a very female-heavy group of people that come to our casting, so it was nice to pick a play that we were able to cast anyone regardless of their gender.”

  Rehearsals are an important part of the production of a musical because they are how the cast prepares for their performance. The cast of “SpongeBob” has rehearsals after school from 4 – 6 p.m. each day. These rehearsals include read throughs to learn lines, vocal rehearsals to practice songs, and blocking to determine spacing of scenes on the stage. A choreographer will create and teach the dance numbers to the cast, and closer to the performance, there will be tech and dress rehearsals when students will practice with the lights and costumes. 

   Senior Anna Weitzenhofer has been a part of the theater department for the entirety of her time at Deep Run. She has participated in every performance over the last four years and will be playing the lead role SpongeBob SquarePants in the fall musical.

   “I’m preparing for the role by honestly watching clips of SpongeBob, listening to his voice, and trying to match his mannerisms. I try to imagine how he would react in every scene I’m in,” Weitzenhofer said. 

   Gibson is encouraging her students to focus on their ability to bring a character to life on stage in their own unique way, something that Weitzenhofer is focusing on in her preparation. 

   “We always work really hard on character development, and in this case, because it is such a well-known character, [this means] making it their own and really being able to make it different,” Gibson said.

   For Weitzenhofer, performing is very rewarding. The theater environment encourages teamwork and collaboration, and helps students come together under a common goal. This shared effort motivates students to get to know their castmates beyond just performing together creating meaningful friendships.

   “The atmosphere is full of determination and hard work, while also having a lot of fun alongside that. It’s nice to have a common passion between everyone and work for the same end goal of creating an amazing show. Since the cast has this bond, it’s so easy to become closer and better friends with everyone and enjoy being with them every day,” Weitzenhofer said. 

   Come support the Wildcat theater department as they bring Bikini Bottom to life on the stage in “SpongeBob the Musical” this Nov. in the auditorium.