Lights! Camera! Action! On November 10th, 11th, and 12th, the Cascade High School Drama department will be performing The Butler Did It. This classic whodunit will be the first production put on under the new leadership of director Dwayne Allen. “I grew up in Leavenworth. I got started in theater at Wenatchee Valley College, and then I went on to Western Washington University. I taught at private schools for 8 years and have now been teaching back at Cascade for 21 years,” said Allen.
Auditions for this play were on September 26th, 27th, and 28th, and the cast has been hard at work since the first day of practice on October 3rd. The crew has had a lot of fun practicing this play according to cast member Danielle Totman: “Some of my favorite times were the giggle attacks we had during rehearsal.”
For one cast member, however, this show is slightly bittersweet. “I’m sad that this is going to be one of my last shows at Cascade, but I’m excited that I can finish my high school career with a bang. I’ll miss it for sure,” said senior cast member Lauren Haiduc.
This play is about actors named Michael, Natalie, Claudia, and Sam, and their director Tony. These actors are putting on a play called The Butler Did It in which they play the characters named Aldo the Butler, Mr. and Mrs. Butler, Vicky Butler, and Detective Mumford.
The cast consists of six members: Coal Fiano as Anthony (Tony) J. Lefcourt, Bohdan Hagadorn as Aldo the Butler (also Michael), Lauren Haiduc as Angela Butler (also Natalie), Breanna Loomis as Vicky Butler (also Claudia), and Danielle Totman as Detective Mumford (also Sam).
A lot of work has also been done behind the scenes by the tech and stage crews. “A lot of work has been put into the set. A bunch of the pieces of the set are intentional and were made to tell a story. I’m excited for everyone to see it,” said Props Master Napiqua Gibbs. Backstage crew positions include stage crew, set construction, makeup and hair, costuming, tech booth, and props.
“My directing style is really student driven. I really love input from everyone, crew and cast. As a director I give direction, but I don’t decide where people end up going,” said director Allen. Stage Manager Mackenzie McLeod and Assistant Stage Manager Rhonan Allen are in charge of making sure that the backstage is running smoothly.
“My job is essentially to help out with anything that needs help with, and to make sure everyone is on track. I am a part of set building and lighting, and communication between everyone. I like the play given that it is another take on a classic murder mystery,” said Rhonan.
“This play has really been a learning curve. Some things have been easier than I thought they were going to be, like the paperwork, but others have been harder, like scheduling all the rehearsals. I’m getting comfortable with the tech, but I miss our old theater. It had some really fun features that this new one doesn’t have. I really love though, how many students are interested in tech and crew. It makes putting on the show so much fun,” said Allen.
When he was choosing what his first play would be, Allen said he got the idea to do The Butler Did It because “I did this play in college with Cathy Smithson and Rod Mulzon.” The tryout process is hard for everyone, those trying out and the director. “I was looking for that gut feeling when someone reads a part, and it just fits,” explained Allen. Come see the show on November 9th, 10th, and 11th at 7:00 P.M. in the Cascade High School Auditorium. Entrance is by donation, and all funds will go to furthering the Cascade High School drama department. When everyone has motive and means, anyone could be guilty.
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