![Focused, junior Kari Arder works to prepare the fabric for stitching. "[Fashion Design] is one of my classes that I get to be the most creative in, which is nice," Arder said. Arder plans on pursuing a career in the fashion industry. "Maybe the business side of fashion," Arder said. "Probably not design though."](https://wildcatswired.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/KTHORNTON_FASHION_9.25.2403-1200x800.jpg)
The Grove Theatre students will perform their production of Little Women: The Musical tonight and tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Tickets are available to purchase here. They have rehearsed the musical for weeks and the show is finally ready for an audience.
The musical is an adaptation of a novel by Louisa May Alcott of the same name. The story follows the four March sisters: Jo March (Junior, Sarah Jane Hanchey), Meg March (Junior, Jordyn Morgan), Beth March (Junior, Emma Jane Compton), and Amy March (Junior, Clarice Pesce) as they adventure through life as a family. The musical focuses heavily on Jo, who dreams of writing and traveling as she sings ballads including “Astonishing” and “The Fire Within Me”.
“My favorite part of the rehearsal process is definitely tech week because it adds so much to the show,” junior Corvus McKay, who portrays John Brooke, said. “Being able to layer the beautiful acting with the beautiful tech really brings the show to the next level.”
The production utilizes large set pieces, furniture, and props to bring the March home to life. These elements including sets, lights, and sound require a large technical crew organized by stage manager and junior, Ava Luke.
“My favorite part is getting all the scene changes together,” Luke said. “I like making them digital and printing them out so everyone knows what to do.”
The snow days on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 presented a challenge for the cast and crew. The days off removed 11 to 12 hours of the company’s dress rehearsal time, forcing them to fit much more practice into fewer days.
“To bounce back from the snow days we have practiced our transitions specifically so hard,” production assistant and junior, Aisha Salamat said. “All of our actors did a wonderful job of self-blocking and making sure they had everything ready to go. As soon as we added our tech in, we were ready to work it in perfectly.”
Despite these obstacles, Grove Theatre is prepared to put on their show. The performance is split into two acts with an intermission in-between.
“I really hope the audience takes away the importance of family and connection,” McKay said. “Really just being able to love someone no matter who they are and no matter their flaws.”
