Connections Performing and Visual Arts Academy students will present their spring musical of Suessical Jr. on April 11-21. Performances will be showcased Thursday and Friday at 7:00 P.M. and on Saturday at 2:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M.

Summerville Theater teacher, Ms. Hatler, commented on her experience with this year’s play so far.

“It’s been great. I’ve worked with these students since the beginning of the school year and I see them every single day… so I really knew what I had to work with when going into this production,” stated Ms. Hatler.

This type of production takes numerous people to put everything together and make the performance work. Ms. Hatler is in charge of the design and planning for the play, including music, technology, and stage direction. Mrs. Spurrier, Dance teacher, continued to take on the huge task of teaching choreography to the Connections students, with the production being almost one hundred percent music and dance.

Lisa Cathcart-Randall, parent volunteer, is handling the costume work.

Ms. Hatler also mentioned a friend of hers, Cassie Miller, is working as their assistant volunteer director a few days a week. Building such a colorful and elaborate set is also a necessity for the production, which is being handled by Buck Collie and Kai Pradenas, as a part of his senior project.

Ms. Hatler also mentioned Ben Diamond, who is doing lighting design, along with six crew members, who are running microphones, sound, and spotlights backstage. Sailor Tomley is Ms. Hatler’s stage manager and helps run each of the rehearsals.

Connections cast member Karly McCutchens (7th) plays the Cat in the Hat. McCutchens commented on her experience playing the diverse character who also dresses as a circus ring master and doctor during the play.

“It’s really fun. It’s a lot of work, but we have tech week starting today and we have to stay after school. There are a lot of props and it’s really hard to memorize what I’m supposed to have and when. The people I do it with are really fun and I have made a lot of friends,” stated McCutchens.

Cast member Dexter Narron (7th) expressed his opinion on his role of Horton the Elephant.

“Horton is the character I auditioned for… It’s different from the roles I normally get, so it’s kind of fun to play a new role. I like it a lot and hope to play more roles like it in the future,” said Narron.

Eighth grader, Quinn Igoe, who is playing the Sour Kangaroo, stated her thoughts on this role.

“It’s really fun to play someone mean because most of the time I play someone nice and it’s fun to be angry,” noted Igoe.

Sophomore Sailor Tomley has been stage manager for Summerville plays multiple times. She explained her reasoning for taking on the job.

“I don’t like to be on stage and I do not like to be the main deal… The musical is very fun and very colorful,” said Tomley. Tomley went on to explain that she enjoys being a part of putting together such a big production.

Ms. Hatler noted the other characters and cast members in the production including: Girl played by Juliette Diamond, Bird girls played by Rachel Thomas and Shafer Rexwinkle, Jojo played by Itti Miranda, Gertrude McFuzz played by Annie Schmittle, Mayzie LaBird played by Gianna Pink, Young Kangaroo played by Ella Rowland, Mr. Mayor and Mrs. Mayor played by Jagger Macklin and Grace Richardson, Yertle the Turtle played by Nate Stuart, The Grinch played by Kellen Groff, Wickershams played by Jazzie Franco and Audrey Parsons, Thing 1 and Thing 2 played by Ava Benton and Tayla Wolfgang, Vlad Vladikoff played by Grace Henderson, Jungle Creature played by Henry Hayward, and Eveline Miller played Elephant Bird.
Lastly, the Who’s are played by Lizzie Dean, Sophie Fitzwater, Brooklyn Fowler, Phoebe Temple-Trevino, and Ayla Watson.

Beyond the Cave wishes the cast to break a leg in the upcoming musical.