Our talented 7th and 8th grade cast and crew put on three wonderful performances of Homeroom the Musical last Friday, Saturday and Monday in the Freeman Arts Building’s black box theatre.
Homeroom follows the trials and tribulations of a group of students thrown together by virtue of their last names, all of which begin with the letter V. Christine struggles with an eating disorder and Mike battles dyslexia. Alex feels “discombobulated” all of the time, and Shawnette feels targeted for her gifted title. This disparate group of misfits and popular kids works their way through new relationships, the disclosure of secrets, report card day, parental divorce, difficulties with math and wondering if they “look okay.” They throw in a few glorious dance numbers – including a festive tango espousing the wonder that it is a school cafeteria – and by the end of the show they realize that although they may not be fast friends, they have a new appreciation for each other and respect for their individual struggles. It was a remarkable production that reminded audience members of all ages that middle school is a time of great change and anxiety, along with an opportunity to learn more about yourself and others.
Rachel Phillips ’24 played Shawnette. She said, “It was a really fun experience, just to be a part of an amazing cast with super talented people.” Zoe Zlatic ’24, who was cast as Kiki but also filled in as Alex for the first two performances, agreed. She said, “I really enjoyed getting to know a bunch of people I hadn’t necessarily met before, like a lot of the 7th graders. The musical also taught me some life lessons, even though it was fun and upbeat, there were some moments that taught me things I’ll use throughout my MICDS career.”
Congratulations to this cast and crew that battled through last-minute substitutions and changes due to illness and offered three outstanding performances to delighted audiences.
The 7th-8th grade musical was produced by the Mary Institute Class of 1954 endowment fund that was established on the occasion of the class’s 50th reunion to provide resources for the maintenance and support of the Freeman Theatre and the drama program therein. This fund often covers expenses such as the royalties for the script, paint and props, and any needed costumes.
Homeroom The Musical
Directors:
Charlotte Dougherty and Tim Storey
Starring:
Hadley Altvater ’25
Natalie Benoist ’25
Ella Brauer ’24
Bridget Clennan ’24
Maggie Cordes ’25
Caroline Danforth ’25
Tyler Enyard ’25
Charlie Fischer ’24
Abby Gray ’24
Reagan Hamilton ’25
Alyssa Harris ’25
Ryan Jan ’25
Aniket Joshi ’25
Grant LaMartina ’25
Ellie Lochhead ’24
Alex Mayer ’24
Camden Miller ’24
Rachel Phillips ’24
Virginia Portell ’24
Grace Rollo ’24
Katherine Royce ’24
Carli Salazar Estrada ’25
Rebecca Sennaraj ’24
Samantha Sullivan ’25
Max Thomas ’25
Joe Walsh ’24
Derin Whitaker ’24
Kate Williamson ’24
Zoe Zlatic ’24
Music Director:
Olivia Vaughn
Stage Managers:
Nina Schuerer ’25
Krish Desai ’24
Graysen Brown ’24
Light, Sound and Props:
Nina Schuerer ’25
Krish Desai ’24
Graysen Brown ’24
Ravathi Warrier ‘25
Set Painting:
Carli Salazar Estrada ’25
Alex Mayer ’24
Norah Wright ’25
Charlie Fischer ’24
Alyssa Harris ’25
Natalie Benoist ’25
Sya Hervey ’25
Abby Gray ’24
Camden Miller ’24
Revathi Warrier ’23
Katherine Royce ’24
Tyler Enyard ’25
Artistic Hands:
Devon Catsavis ’24
Revathi Warrier ’25
Reagan Gatz ’25
Maggie Cordes ‘25
Adithi Srinivasan ’25
Mia Sondrol ’25
Emery Chamberlain ’25
Sanjana Gandhi ’25
Norah Wright ’25
Tyler Enyard ’25
Joe Walsh ‘24
Carli Salazar Estrada ’25
Jada Greer ’24
Sahar Bhutto ’24
Diane Li ’24
Mona Ragone ’24
Alex Mayer ’24
Angelina Shen ’24
Special Thanks To:
Michelle Webster
Krystal Sno White
Jennifer Shuckman
Jayme Zimmer
Nicole Trueman Shaw
Lauren Fletcher