The Witching hour is upon us, bright and early, with the fall drama production of Blithe Spirit. Director Robert Hanson promises great shows beginning on everyone’s favorite night, October 31 at 7pm.

Having only been in rehearsals for a month so far, many cast members stated that they feel confident in their own and the cast’s ability to put on a good show for Arlington. At this time, progress is being made by all who are involved, and much more progress is sure to come from this small but sure cast.

“[The actors] have really dug into the material and really shown that I don’t have to do the basics with everybody this time. We can have more refined, mature conversations about who these characters are.” Mr. Hanson said.

With the cast having to rely on their skills in memorization. Lots more pressure was put onto these individuals. However, with the hurdle of memorization gone, actors have been given more freedom with their actions for their characters. “Recently we’ve been doing pretty good with line memorization and cracking jokes in theater. It’s a fun time. Especially once you get into the later stages.” Dr. Bradman’s understudy, Evan Kovarik (‘28) said. 

What’s the difference between being an understudy and being a part of the main cast? Sometimes it can seem like a competition, or could feel like a bonding experience between actors. Which might not seem like it’s much but others opinions might differ.

“I feel like I have more responsibility, but I feel like it was really intuitive, because I had to have a person to go to and give advice about the role.” Brooklyn Googe (‘27), actress of Edith, said.

In the last theater season the show Into The Woods had a much larger cast, because it was two separate casts performing the same show. And as such there was a much different rehearsal progress. Many would wonder what is so different about a double cast rehearsal and an understudy rehearsal and what goes on within them.

“So with a double cast, it kind of doubles the time needed because everyone needs to have a crack at it because they’re equal, … it’s a bit of a more skewed 60-40 share of the stage as opposed to 50-50.” Mr. Hanson said. “…But with so much to be thinking about, the pressure’s on.”