An Inside Look at Our Town

Imagine standing behind a curtain, the adrenaline rushing through your veins, and as it rises its first inch above the stage, you see many faces staring back at you with high expectations.  On November 10^th, this will be the case for many performers at Smithtown West, as we are anxiously awaiting the premiere of Our Town directed by Mr. Brannigan.             Surely this play will be another success because Mr. Brannigan is again directing it and he has been directing here for two years, but has been in the theater business since 1995.  When asked how prepared the cast is for the performance, he replied “everyone is at where they should be, but most are beyond”.  When Jamie Saunders, the lead actress in the play, was asked the same question, she replied “I am very excited, not nervous though because we are so well prepared.”

However, having the lead role in a play could also be very challenging.  “For one thing, there are so many lines to memorize, which takes a lot of time” says Jamie. Jamie also spent time doing character research so she knows how to act out the character relationships.

Other performers were faced with challenges as well; “many were challenged with a stylized language, because it was written in a New England dialect, so sayings and Phrases were worded different” admits Mr. Brannigan.

Our Town is said to be a very emotional play, for it contains words that are meant to be taken to heart. From the main character’s perspective, Jamie feels that the central message of the play is that “people should really pay attention to the little things in life because before you know it, it will all go away”.  This message is really one that can affect the audience and can speak to people individually, which is why this play is great for a high school to perform.

On November 10^th, Our Town actors and actresses will be waiting behind the curtain, with adrenaline rushing through their body to put on a great love story, and when the curtain rises its first inch and the piano strikes its first note, they will all be ready for “the best feeling in the world”- Jamie. 

To view the trailer click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xdupyxOcjI