Ever since auditions for this year’s spring play ended both the cast and crew have been hard at work trying to deliver the most enjoyable show possible while still having a lot of fun along the way.

This year’s play will be Bad Auditions By Bad Actors, a comedy about trying to cast leads for a production of Romeo and Juliet. 

It is immediately clear that everyone involved in the production is very passionate about the performance.

As Sra. Crystal Dory, the director of the play, put it, “They are really pushing themselves and each other to develop their characters to be the most entertaining and over the top that they can possibly be.” 

The members of the cast have gone out of their way to not only replicate the production but also make it their own. 

“The cast is really making it their own, and I think that they have really left their mark on it,” said Dory. “When I first read the script months ago, I thought it was hilarious, but I could have never imagined that the cast would take it to the next level – and they have.”

Despite the various shows Dory has directed in the past, she added, “This is the funniest show I have ever done.”

Senior Anna Lippert, who has now participated in the plays for four years, will be playing one of the few characters that are on stage throughout most of the show. 

Lippert has had a lot of fun with the show this year, explaining, “All of us in the cast are such good friends, and this year’s play is so funny. A good part of rehearsals is spent laughing.” 

The senior is excited to hear this laughter mimicked by the audience while the show is performed.

Addie Weiss, junior, is also looking forward to the laughter of the audience.

Weiss has been involved with every theatrical production at NDA since her freshman year and has come to feel at home within the theatre program, claiming, “Being a member of the plays and musicals is something I really look forward to every year.” 

Rehearsals allow her to have time to relax, hang out with friends and do something she loves. 

While many members of the cast have had experiences with the school’s theatre productions in the past, this show is a first-time experience for some.

One such student is freshman Pip Mcginnity, who decided to audition for the play because of her prior experience with community theatre and because of her want to get more involved with the school. 

The environment has been welcoming for the new member of the cast, who said, “Everyone is really nice and practices are really fun.”

This was also a new experience for freshman Maame Asiamah, who made the decision to audition at the very last opportunity.

“Auditioning was a last-minute thing for me—so last minute that I had decided to audition the day they were taking place,” said the freshman. “I made the decision because my friends encouraged me to, and it was in the heat of the moment.” 

This abrupt decision turned out to be very positive for Asiamah, who explained, “Rehearsals are fun and everyone has great ideas to add for each scene. It’s really nice to get to know the cast and our director, Mrs. Dory, better.”

It is clear that the cast shares an immense bond.

“The cast is a phenomenal group of performers and people, and I can’t believe that I get to work with such a talented group every day,” exclaimed freshman Amelia Chrudimsky, who auditioned for the play partly because of the people involved.

After acting in this year’s musical, Footloose, Chrudimsky wanted nothing more than to relive the excitement with all of the people in the theatre department, especially the graduating seniors.

“I hope that Bad Auditions by Bad Actors is the kind of show that will make people walk out into the commons and remember the hilarious moments for days to come,” she said. “Of all of the cool experiences that come with performing a show, I’m most excited for the feeling I’ll get on stage when everyone’s laughing at my most recent line.” 

Chrudimsky is clearly excited to perform the fun show with so many wonderful people, saying, “Everyone should consider coming to watch Bad Auditions by Bad Actors.”

The work done by the cast would not be possible without the help of the stage crew, with Barbara Inciarte, who has been involved with the crew for the musicals in the past, serving as the production manager. 

This year, the size of the crew during the performances will be kept small, with various other members of the crew helping during the rehearsals.

They have thus far spent rehearsals retrieving necessary costumes and props from the basement to be used in the performance. 

During the actual performance, members of the crew will be helping out backstage while Inciarte will be running around making sure everything is in order.

“I have been able to see a few scenes from the show when I have been helping out backstage,” she said. “The cast is doing an incredible job, and I can’t wait to see the finished product.”