NewsUpper SchoolFine Arts
Players Perform West Side Story
Mar 1, 2000 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
For the second consecutive year, the Darlington Players’ winter musical was held at the Rome City Auditorium and boasted of a strong attendance, totalling over 1500 people for the three West Side Story performances held Feb. 11-13.
With a cast of 47 and a crew of 15, there was an enormous amount to coordinate – and that was only the people. Back drops and costumes were ordered. Lights. Music. Dance.
“I could not even begin to tabulate the hours that went into bringing this show to life,” Marisa Ortega, Upper School faculty member and director, said. “We began dancing in late October and put in many hours and weekends into this show. The students were completely committed to the dancing and to making this show uniquely their own.”
Generosity poured in from the community. Volunteers constructed the set. A local builder, Phil Mead, volunteered his services to create the fire escape, which was a significant part of the scenery. In addition, Upper School faculty member Mark Hoven built the window and doorframes, and Darlington parent Linda Hom created the counter at Doc’s store. West Side Story was truly a collaborative effort.
“From Dan Bishop [choral director], Bill King [instrumental music director], my assistant and light director Morgan McCrary, the stage manager team, Michelle Ward and Heather Carswell, David Powell, Georgie Hall [the choreographer], the entire Fine Arts Booster Club to people I know that I am forgetting to mention, this show would not have been possible,” Ortega said.
“For example, we ordered many costumes. However, because of size and style problems, Linda, Charlene Bowen, and Judi Kountz outfitted half of the girls. In fact, my entire crew made this show happen.”
With a cast of 47 and a crew of 15, there was an enormous amount to coordinate – and that was only the people. Back drops and costumes were ordered. Lights. Music. Dance.
“I could not even begin to tabulate the hours that went into bringing this show to life,” Marisa Ortega, Upper School faculty member and director, said. “We began dancing in late October and put in many hours and weekends into this show. The students were completely committed to the dancing and to making this show uniquely their own.”
Generosity poured in from the community. Volunteers constructed the set. A local builder, Phil Mead, volunteered his services to create the fire escape, which was a significant part of the scenery. In addition, Upper School faculty member Mark Hoven built the window and doorframes, and Darlington parent Linda Hom created the counter at Doc’s store. West Side Story was truly a collaborative effort.
“From Dan Bishop [choral director], Bill King [instrumental music director], my assistant and light director Morgan McCrary, the stage manager team, Michelle Ward and Heather Carswell, David Powell, Georgie Hall [the choreographer], the entire Fine Arts Booster Club to people I know that I am forgetting to mention, this show would not have been possible,” Ortega said.
“For example, we ordered many costumes. However, because of size and style problems, Linda, Charlene Bowen, and Judi Kountz outfitted half of the girls. In fact, my entire crew made this show happen.”
