As the school year begins to wrap up, many students will participate in the final activities of the year.  They have worked so hard simply striving for this moment. Many students will want to go out with a bang as the school year winds down. The students of The Winthrop Middle School Drama Society are no different as they prepare to open their final show of the year. After coming off of a successful run of Finding Nemo Jr, the club is getting ready to present one more show this school year. The show entitled “When Bad Things Happen To Good Actors” promises to be a very immersive and exciting performance. I was able to catch up with three cast members about their experiences and perspectives on the show. 

When asked to describe the show, eighth grader Sarah Tracy (who plays the role of the stage manager) says, “The show revolves around a school trying to put on a production of The Wizard Of Oz and basically everything goes wrong.”  As someone who also frequently does theater , I know that there is so much that can go wrong within a single performance. The beauty of theater is simply that you only get one chance to tell this story.  

I also caught  up with 8th grader Lily Armitstead (ensemble) who happily tells me that her favorite memory from the production was meeting the cast. Lily says, “My favorite memory has to be meeting everyone. They’re so nice and have made my first time doing drama so much easier.” Drama kids are some of the most welcoming and friendly students in the school. I’m so happy that Lily had such a positive first experience. 

Finally, I talked with 8th grader Holly Nimblett (who plays the role of Dorothy) who went on to tell me  how much she enjoys tech week. She tells me, “My favorite part of the process of putting together a show is tech week. It’s when we finally get to go on the stage and add lights, sound cues, props, and costumes. You can really see the show start to come together and it’s such an amazing feeling. “

You can read my full interviews with Sarah, Lily and Holly below: 

EF: Can you describe the plot of the show? 

HN: “The show is basically about this drama club trying to put on a production of The Wizard of Oz, but everything is going wrong! There are scene changes at wrong times, missed cues, wrong sound effects, and more!”  

EF: What’s been the best part of working on this show?

ST:  “The best part of working on this show is probably the laughs we all get to have together, like getting to know each other better as a cast too. We’re doing a comedy show so most of our rehearsals are spent laughing the whole time. So I definitely love that.” 

LA:”The best part of working on the show for me is being able to do something with my friends. I haven’t really hung out with any of my friends recently and this is a chance for me to do so.” 

HN:”The best part of working on the show is seeing it get put together! I love watching everyone doing their scenes and we all just have so much fun during the rehearsal process.”

EF: What has been the most challenging part of working on this production? 

ST: “ The most stressful part is getting my lines all memorized, but that’s normal. Also the fact I’m  injured so I have to perform while hurt. It’s pretty bad too.” 

LA: “The most stressful thing is trying to remember when I come on stage. I don’t always have the best memory or the best hearing, but eventually I got the hang of it.”

 Sarah and Holly have been preparing to say goodbye to the Middle School Drama Society. During the course of the past three years, they have both participated in six shows(annual musicals and spring plays). I then decided to ask them both about their favorite memories from the club overall. 

EF: What has been your favorite experience or memory during your time with the Winthrop Middle School Drama Society?

HN: “ I just absolutely love the bonds you make with everyone in the cast! It really feels like a big family and a place with zero judgment. I would say that my favorite memory would have to be the closing night of Finding Nemo Jr. We were all so proud of each other, but sobbing at how we were going to miss the show so much. There was a lot of hugging backstage.” 

ST: “My favorite memory of WMSDS was absolutely sobbing during bows last year while I was taking my final bow as Moana.” 

EF: You both have spent so much time during your time in middle school performing in the drama society. What will you miss the most about this show or this club? 

HN:”I am definitely going to miss all the people. I’ve made so many friends and formed amazing bonds with everyone in the club. A couple times during the rehearsal process I’ve thought to myself “ Wow, I’m going to miss this.”

ST: “The thing I will miss the most about the club is all the seventh and sixth graders that over these two years I’ve got to know. I genuinely look to them as my honorary little sisters/siblings. I’m going to  miss them incredibly as I go to high school. I  also know I’ll still see them but I’ll miss doing shows with them.”

I then went on to ask Lily about her experience as this is her first time ever appearing in a show. 

EF: Considering that this is your first show, what surprised you about the experience? 

LA: “What surprised me is how easy it was. It’s not super easy, but definitely easier than expected. I was super nervous at first and thought it’d be one of the hardest things. I’ve always had stage fright, so it was hard just to audition. Eventually, I got used to it and became more comfortable.” 

EF: What prompted you to decide to join now? 

LA: “I joined because most of my friends do drama. I decided it would be easier since I already know people who do it.” 

EF: Follow up question; Are you glad you joined the club for the final production of middle school? 

LA: “I’m very happy I decided to join. I’ve made new friends, hung out with friends I already had, and overall had a good time.” 

EF: What are you most excited for audiences to see in this show?

LA: “I’m most excited for the audiences to see all the funny things that we have all laughed at during rehearsals.”

ST:” I’m super excited for people to see it because in my opinion this show is hilarious and such a fun time. I just hope everyone enjoys the show!!

HN:”I’m most excited for the audience to see the whole show! Most specifically I want them to see the last scene. I don’t want to give everything away, but that’s where things really start to fall apart and it’s hilarious!”

Next, I spoke with the girls about their plans regarding the High School Drama Society. As an active member of the drama society myself, I was very excited by all of their answers. 

EF: Do you plan on continuing with drama into high school, if so what are you the most excited about?

ST:”I’m definitely doing drama in high school!  It will be amazing, such a fun time and I can’t wait for it. I’m super excited to meet everyone and do all the shows with them.  Fest too, it’s going to be a whole new experience.” 

LA:”I plan on doing drama in high school. I’m excited to meet new people. If I go to the Voc, I’ll meet totally new people. If I stay at Winthrop, I’ll have some people I already know, people I’ve seen, and people I’ve heard my friends talk about that I want to meet.”

HN: “I 100% plan on continuing with drama in High School. I’m so excited to meet everyone and become part of another drama family. I’m also excited to do full length musicals and to push myself to be the best I can be!” 

EF: You all have had such positive experiences with drama. Do you have any advice for incoming drama students or students who might be nervous to get involved? 

LA: “I would say the worst part would be auditions. After that, it should come pretty easily. If you’re scared, that’s totally okay. Just know you don’t have to be.”

ST:”For anyone who is nervous about joining the drama club, I promise you it will be one of the best choices you can make.  I was horrified to join but when I did I gained friends, confidence and some of the best memories of my life.”

HN: “If I could give any piece of advice to an incoming drama student or someone who wants to get involved I would say: Go for it! It’s absolutely so worth it, and you won’t regret it! I would also say to just be confident in yourself! It’s all in your head!”

Finally, to conclude the interview; why should audiences come see this show? 

ST:”Audiences should come see this show because it’s absolutely hilarious. It’s also super special and near and dear to our eighth grade hearts as it is our last show.  So we would greatly appreciate it if we got big audiences!!

HN: “Audiences should come see this show if they want to have a fun night with a good laugh! It’s such a good show and I think a lot of people will enjoy it! We’ve worked so hard on this show and I’m so proud of the outcome! It would be really appreciated if a lot of people came out to see how hard we’ve worked!”

LA”:I believe people should come see the show because it is funny. Everyone laughs during rehearsals. It’s a fun show.”

A sincere “break a leg” to the entire cast, crew and creative team involved in the middle school production of When Bad Things Happen To Good Actors. Make sure to catch the performances this Friday and Saturday at 7 P.M. at the Neil Shapiro Center For The Performing Arts. Tickets are five dollars which can be purchased at the door. Thank you so much to Sarah Tracy, Holly Nimblett and Lily Armitstead for taking the time to sit down with me for this interview. I’m so excited to attend the show this weekend and watch the talented Winthrop Middle School Drama Society put on another hit!