With a cast of 18, four dedicated directors, and a class of talented technicians, the LOHS Drama Department is preparing to put up its first production of the year in early November.
“They Promised Her the Moon” tells the extraordinary story of Jerrie Cobb, a notable female pilot. With perseverance, Cobb survived the perilous challenges of scientific testing and media speculation, all while handling the constant sexualized gender boundaries of the 1960s.
Throughout the play, Cobb attempts to be the first female astronaut to land on the moon. However, due to stereotypes and NASA’s resistance to change, Cobb falls just short of a golden headline: to be the first female astronaut.
With an open concept design of the set and theatrical direction, Director Randy Shorts was able to lead his actors and technicians to victory and has crafted yet another graceful and powerful production.
The costumes are fabulous, following that authentic and historical brand of the department. The entire department is lucky to have Liz Shorts and Lori Briscoe, the costume designers.
Everyone in the department also obviously cared about the play, especially with the story it told, and it was amazing to see collaborative ideas come together to tell a narrative unheard.
I was able to interview a few members of the cast before opening night, and their excitement regarding the production was palpable.
Junior Sophie Janne d’Othee said, “My favorite part of the process has been making new memories and getting to spend time with the cast… Each person has a unique take on the scenes, so seeing it all come together is so cool.” The creative process of the Drama Department is definitely amazing to watch, and with so many inviting people, the experience is always worthwhile. d’Othee plays Adult Jerrie in the play.
Junior Ian Montano plays Congressman Waggoner in the play and has enjoyed the community of the department on campus. “. I’d recommend joining the drama department because it’s a fun community,” Montano said. “You meet new people, get to be creative, and build confidence. Even if you’re nervous at first, everyone’s super supportive and it ends up being an enjoyable experience.” Like many people in the cast, Montano agrees that the friendships made in the program are everlasting and genuine.
“Running lines is fun, and the high point of them for me is when we dissect them to try to understand more about our characters and how the interactions should happen fluently,” said Senior Conner Hovey, who plays Harvey, Jerrie’s dad. “We figure out what characters should be doing as they speak, making them more of a fleshed-out person rather than just the actors in costume.” The art of theatre is such a gift, especially in an age of doomscrolling and screens. Actors are allowed to escape the prisons of reality and enter into a fairytale of hope and ingenuity.
“I highly recommend getting involved in theater for the social aspect,” said Freshman Zoey Allen Meaders. “While I do really enjoy the art aspect, just because I enjoy all different forms of art, I think theater is so special because of the joy and connections that come out of it.” The bonds these students have created really do go beyond those made in the classroom.
“They Promised Her the Moon” is a witty, thought-provoking story, based on real events. The actors in this production were beyond amazing in rehearsals, and I’m so excited to see them put their work together onstage. I am so proud of them and am overjoyed to be able to be a part of this masterpiece of a play.
Come see the play on November 6, 7, and 8. As always, the Drama Department never disappoints, and every production they work on is seamless and built to perfection.
To my beautiful cast, I am forever proud of you. And to my wonderful technicians, you deserve the world.
Break a leg!