Light Up The Sky brings many new faces to audition

by Juliana Spence
Exchange Staff

     More students than expected auditioned for the fall production of Light Up the Sky on September 11th and 12^th.

     There were many new faces among the 24 students at the auditions said play producer Nancy Stone.  "I think it’s a good number for the beginning of the school year and a good number given that approximately 12 students who are involved in dance and theatre are studying in Vienna this semester." 

     Senior Bob Panza who was cast in the play had no concrete expectations for this play.  "This is entirely new blood in the production this year," he said.  "The freshmen look excited to have the opportunity."

     Keith Stevens, who is the managing director of the Peterborough Players, is the visiting director for this production. 

     For Panza this will be his third production at FPC and his first without the direction of Robert (Bob) Lawson.  Panza said, "With Bob being gone now I’m excited to try something new."  He said, "This is the first real audition that I’ve ever experienced."  Panza described Lawson's auditions as movement focused while Stevens' was more about speaking and voice projection.

     Light Up the Sky by Moss Hart, which is a three act theatrical comedy, will open November 9^th and run through the 18^th.  Until now and then Stone estimates 160 hours will be spent in rehearsal time alone.  Stone said, "I never try to figure out how many hours we put into it because it’s always so shocking to me."

     Panza understands how much extra work it is to be a part of the play on top of school and off campus work.  He said, "I do it because I love to perform."

     On top of the 18 students cast an additional 25-30 people, many of which are students in the Stage Craft class will work on the production.  Arts management students are expected to help with the publicity.