After auditions in late September, all of the brave students who auditioned for The Oakwood Schools Charlie Chocolate factory were eager to see the results. When results came out early this month, some students were filled with glee, where others might’ve been a little bit disappointed. No matter what role each student got, all of the directors are sure that they will find a spot to shine up on the big stage.
“I was shocked, but not disappointed… well maybe a little bit at first.” says Reese Noel, an eight grader who got cast as Mrs. Buckett, Charlie’s mom. “I’m not proud of my initial reaction. I didn’t know much about the background of the characters, so I was not quite sure what I was getting myself into with Mrs. Buckett. I was like, ‘Really? That’s what I got?’ Now that I’ve looked into it the role more, I’m definitely really excited and happy about it the role of Mrs. Buckett”.
When asked what advice she would give to someone who isn’t very happy with their role, Reese suggested that “Before you go and make a scene, take a deep breath. Do some research into the character, and think about how you can make the character your own instead of thinking about it as a smaller part, or a part that you didn’t want.”. Reese also recommends asking yourself how the character you’ve been cast as relates to you personally. “I think that the emotional characteristics that go into Mrs. Buckett relate to me a lot. The character that she is relates with a side of me that a lot of people don’t usually get to see because I kind of put on this different persona when I’m at school then when I’m at home. And I think that I’m more like Mrs. Buckett at home then when I’m at school, which some people might find hard to believe. Definitely in the sense that she’s more reserved and not as that going as I usually put myself out there to be. So playing Mrs. Bucket is going to be a challenge for the outgoing side of me.”
There is also the other side of students, who might have been a little disappointed with the outcome of the cast list. Take Ellie Booher, a 10th grader who got cast as an adult ensemble member for example. “I think my audition went well, and I was kind of hoping for one of the lead children. Sometimes it really comes down to the people who audition, and how they can work with each other.” Ellie explains. “I also feel that being a member of an ensemble can be more difficult sometimes, you’re under the pressure of supporting the lead roles, and making stuff happen kind of behind the main story. And those are the roles that if you didn’t have, you wouldn’t have a show.”. Even ensemble Members have essential parts in the story, and Ellie reminds actors and actresses, “To get a big roll, you have to start a small, and that’s okay because you can learn from your mistakes and other people’s mistakes along the way, even if you don’t have the entire spotlight the whole time. And there’s next year to get a bigger role if you really put the work in”.
Overall, if it’s your first theater production, or your 100th, no matter the size of the role you get, it’s about how you play it and make it your own. To everyone who auditioned for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, great job and the whole school can’t wait to see you shine up on the big stage.
“It’s a show about candy, everyone loves candy and chocolate” Ellie Booher ends with a smile.
