Narnia comes to NRHS
Published 10:24 pm Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Trinity Torres, Rodney McKeithan, Lauren Farrar and Zylon Renshaw, cast members in the Nansemond River High School drama club’s production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” pause for a break during rehearsals Monday, while Maia Micou and Briahna Chastang are in the background.
Nansemond River High School’s award-winning drama club is gearing up to stage “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” with three shows for the general public and another for elementary school and home-school students.
The annual spring musical is straight from C.S. Lewis’ much-loved children’s fantasy novel, said Joleen Neighbours, director.
“The students wanted to do it,” she said, adding that the cast and crew numbers 35 students, while “well over 100” work with Nansemond River’s performing arts program in various capacities during the course of the year.
Emily Hunter, as assistant director, said she always needs a copy of the script close at hand.
“If people don’t know their lines, you just make sure they are ready,” the second-year drama club member said.
Maia Micou, who says she wants to be a fashion designer, is responsible for designing costumes for the production.
“It’s showing me how to get the right things on budget, how to spend my money, and it’s teaching me how to sew and manage time,” she said.
Micou said she spent her allotted $200 at thrift stores, going for “vintage-looking” clothes.
Among the cast, Rodney McKeithan plays Mr. Tumnus. McKeithan explained that after his character meets a little girl named Lucy, “He risks his life for her. He’s very brave and courageous.”
Lucy, in fact, is played by Trinity Torres, who said portraying a character younger than her is challenging.
“I just try to observe other children and try to tap into the innocence of the character,” she said.
Lauren Farrar, playing Susan, said she has been able to master her nerves after nearly four years in the club.
“I have grown accustomed to situations onstage,” she said.
Zylon Renshaw was selected to play Peter. “It gets me out of my comfort zone, (and) it also prepares me for the future,” Renshaw said of drama club.
Shows for the general public will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with tickets available at the door for $10 for regular admission or $7 for students and Suffolk Public School staff.
The free show for elementary and home-school students will be held at 10 a.m. Friday. Neighbours encouraged interested teachers, parents and students to contact her at 923-4101.
