TC Williams Drama Department presents Noises Off this Fall 2018
Maria Areyan and Paul Holtz
Noises Off, a play written by Michael Frayn, and originally directed by Michael Blakemore will be presented in T.C. Williams High School at King Street Campus inside the main auditorium starting November 9, 2018. A comedy inside another flop comedy. A play within a play. Doors slamming, on and offstage curiosity. It is a comedy about a theater company’s incompetent director, actors, and technicians rehearsing for a complete unsuccessful play named Nothing On.
The play will be directed by T.C. Drama Department’s director Leslie Jones, Student Director Jasselene Paz, Stage Manager Phoebe LaMountain, and Executive Producer Hope Bachman. “I don’t think I’ve ever directed a comedy series before,” said Jones. Noises Off will be the first comedy ever directed during Jones’ 15 years of experience. “I want to get out of my comfort zone and I want to laugh,” said Jones.
This is one of the only comedies that the Drama Department has decided to show. The last 3 years they have focused on more serious topics, with an adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, a show about the Los Angeles race riots.
Auditions were open to all students. Jones was looking for students who could show their comedic skills on stage. “Have a sense of humour of yourself. Don’t take it too seriously,” said Jones. Jones was looking for students that can take the role as if they were the character already so that they will be as natural as possible, and if being a comedian is not their best fit, she wants them to get out of their comfort zone.
This show is easily accessible to anyone. Student Director Jasselene Paz says, “I am super excited for everyone to see this show! We put in the time and I think that everyone who sees it will have something to laugh at. Kids and older people will all find a part that they like.”
Rehearsals started in September and they have continued performing everyday. “We try to make sure that once it is actually showtime, the actors can truly shine. We do all that we can to make sure the show runs smoothly.” said Stage Manager Pheobe LaMountain.
“As things go wrong, the shows go on” will be the takeaway the audience can take when they watch the play at T.C. Williams. Ticket prices will be $10 for adult and $5 for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) staff, students and elderly. “I can’t wait to see their growth,” said Jones referring to the time when she’ll get her cast ready to go and start rehearsals on September 17 and continue until the performance releases.
