The theater department has two shows coming up in the fall. Repertory Theatre is performing “Antigone,” a Greek tragedy, and the mainstage musical is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Designs are coming together, actors are getting their lines memorized, and the theater director, Alisha Morris is thrilled for this lineup!
The process of picking a show can prove to be a challenge, everybody wants the details. Morris shares her thought process when deciding on the play.
“Since ‘Antigone’ is done through our Rep Theatre class, I wanted to be able to have an expandable cast so that it could match however many students within the class wanted to be actors,” Morris said.
If you saw the musical last year, you might notice some contrasting themes between the show this year.
“I wanted to do something completely different from what I did last year, which I definitely think ‘Joseph’ fits the bill for that. I also wanted to do some more recruiting for guys. Every theater professional that I’ve talked to said that if you don’t have guys, then you should do a show that requires for you to have guys, so this is my response to that.” Morris said.
Morris says the rumor is proving itself to be true.
“So far it’s done really good, we’ve had great new people join the cast, about half the cast are absolutely new people have never done theater before. I wanted to pick something that could fit all those things,” Morris said.
From Oct. 10-12, “Antigone” will be performed in the Flex Theater. 
A story of family loyalty clashing with laws cascades toward doom. Antigone defies King Creon’s rule and gives her brother proper burial rights. Her defiance leads down a rabbit hole of tragic events.
Producing this show has allowed Repertory Theatre students to experience new responsibilities and gives them opportunities. This show is senior Brenn Dumler’s first show as a lead character. She shares her excitement about being cast as Antigone.
“I’m able to portray a character who’s a woman and has her own beliefs. She doesn’t listen to what men tell her to do just because they’re men” said Dumler.
The theme of feminism is prevalent throughout this show and holds many valuable lessons. This emotional, captivating show has a story aching to be told.
This type of theater proves itself to be very flexible with its characters’ choices. Senior Isaac McCalla, cast as King Creon, shares his experience with the show.
“There’s a lot of great characterization and dialogue points that the actors can do a lot with,” McCalla said.
This show and story take a stance on justice that the theater department hasn’t touched on yet. Morris shares her hopes for this show’s impact.
“I want to impact people by giving them maybe a second thought about what it means to be just or what does justice truly mean. We kind of have this internal struggle within the story of like who’s actually right, is the main character right or is the other main character right? What a person thinks is moral and just and what the law is.” Morris says.
The overall themes of morality and challenging those in charge are concepts you can dive deeper into with this show.
Just a month after “Antigone” takes its final bow, “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” will set the stage. This show’s process has already begun, and everything is coming together.
Morris chose this show for its uniqueness, theater has never done a show quite like Joseph. Told entirely through song with the help of a Narrator, the story follows Joseph, the favorite son of 12 brothers. This story goes through many twists and turns, ending up in some sticky situations.
The main characters cast for this show, seniors Jameson Mangold and Aaron Shirley, have done theater together throughout high school.
This pair of friends share their excitement to share their final mainstage musical as lead roles together.
“Performing arts has been a key part of my life for many years, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.” Shirley said.
Both Mangold and Shirley have done theater at West since their freshman year and have grown together in the department.
“It’s rewarding seeing how far I’ve come since freshman year and how I’ve grown as a person.” Mangold describes. “It’s my senior show and I get to do it with my best friend Aaron!”
Morris described her vision for this show as pure fun and excitement.
“I’m hoping that for “Joseph” I accomplish having an audience that is having just a great time. I just want everyone to have a good, fun time, bop along to the music, enjoy the story and just leave with a smile on your face!”
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will be on stage Nov. 21-23 in the Auditorium.
You can purchase tickets for “Antigone” by clicking here
