From the silver screen to the Lake Highland stage, Sister Act is going to be taking the Harriet Coleman Center for the Arts stage by storm this fall, from October 17 to 19, with a cast ranging from our own Lake Highland teachers to Middle School students. Sister Act is based on the 1992 production of the movie, which features star and silver screen legend Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer forced to hide at Saint Katherine’s Parish as a nun in a convent. This arrangement transpires once she is placed under witness protection, after seeing her gangster boyfriend execute one of his informants. Sister Act is a blockbuster hit that has now widely been considered a cult classic film. It gained so much popularity at the time that it had a sequel titled Sister Act: Back in the Habit and a third film in production titled Sister Act: Kicking the Habit, despite its release 35 years ago.
This year’s Lake Highland Upper School Fall production will be directed by Mrs. Elizabeth Cortelyou, choreographed by Mrs. Holly Harris, and stage-managed by none other than Emma Larson, grade 11. When it comes to helping backstage and being a part of the team of technicians who make the production run smoothly, Emma stated that, “The hardest part of calling a show is remaining cool on the fly and adjusting as needed. Sometimes actors accidentally skip over lines or words that cue a lightning change or sound effect. In those cases, you just have to use your best judgment and keep the show going.” From calling lighting cues, moving set pieces, and improvising on short notice, Lake Highland’s Arts Department never disappoints.
Sister Act began the rehearsal process this August, and both the cast and crew have been pouring their hearts out practicing almost every day of the week from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., to ensure their opening night on October 17 runs smoothly. No matter how intense rehearsals may get, cast members such as Neil Barot, grade 12, who plays Eddie the Police Officer, states that rehearsals can, “Be a lot to juggle, but if you stay on top of assignments and plan ahead, it’s completely manageable.” Through his experience in theatre he has found that, “Being in a show actually pushes me to stay more organized with schoolwork because it pushes me to stay productive and make use of all my time. Especially tech week, which is particularly stressful for all members of a production, because of its long hours and the strain it puts on the actors.”
Although musicals require a lot of hard work, time management, and dedication, there are so many fun memories made. Olivia Reich, grade 12, who plays Mother Superior, a complex character who starts as the really strict, rule-following leader of the convent, but becomes friends with Deloris by the end, says that one of the things she is most excited for people to experience is to witness, “The entire show come together!” One of Olivia’s favorite parts of the rehearsal process is, “Putting the show together with tech elements, costumes, makeup, music, and even just putting different numbers and scenes together.” She later added that, “It’s really magical when a performance that requires so many people and moving parts comes together so beautifully. I can’t wait for everyone to see the show and experience the comedic masterpiece Sister Act is!!!”
The opening night is October 17. All students, parents, and faculty are strongly encouraged to go support their peers and students in a production that they have put so much effort into for months. Not only will this year’s musical be a thrilling take on a comedy classic, but also be an experience that should not be missed! Be sure to take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and see Sister Act! To those interested in joining the drama program, give it a try, as you’ll never know what you’ll gain if you never try.
