As the end of the first semester approaches, NC Standing Ovation Club members prepare for the winter production of “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition.” This fun-filled musical features a wide range of characters, allowing opportunities for all students to become involved in the school theater program.
Rewarding an intense audition week, the cast list was released November 14 and students began to fill with excitement for their new roles. Although the play hits the stage January 25-27, the cast began their rehearsal late this semester to perfect their show before the holiday break. Guided by theater director Candice Corcoran, students work for several months before premiering their semester musical.
The Spongebob Musical based on the animated show “SpongeBob SquarePants” follows lead SpongeBob, played by freshman Lily Kennedy, and his journey with friends to face an erupting volcano. Paired with Patrick Star, played by senior Joseph Pagan-Portes, the show introduces the dynamic duo and humorous supporting characters. Filled with singing, dancing and acting, “The SpongeBob Musical” submerses audiences into a world of entertaining characters and their interactions with Spongebob. The show’s diversity in music allows dancers, singers and actors to combine their strengths into one amusing show.
“I’ve been focusing a lot on the little things Patrick does: the way he speaks, the way he moves his body, how he acts when people are paying attention to him. I’ve been watching SpongeBob recently just to get an idea of how I can make my version of Patrick. I’ve also been seeing other versions of the musical to see how their Patrick is,” Pagan-Portes said.
Students involved in the production practice Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for several hours after school to learn choreography, run lines and practice their music. Whether the entire cast works together or different people work on specific parts, the show progresses closer to excellence each day. As students spend increasing time with their showmates, strong bonds form between the cast and crew, creating an impactful community.
“Rehearsals are productive. Most of the cast learn the dances at a nice and fast pace, at least compared to other shows, the progress is going much faster. Especially when we all split up and work on different things. We have people working on blocking, props, singing and lighting. It’s so much and I’m so glad we can get things done,” Pagan-Portes said.
Facing new challenges each day, the Spongebob team works together to ensure they can produce a satisfactory performance for the NC audience As the Standing Ovation’s Instagram page becomes active in promoting the show, students around NC clear their schedules for an hour of entertainment by their peers.
“The cast all together has done an amazing job bringing the Bikini Bottom setting to life. It’s so much more comfortable to be able to express the character of SpongeBob when everyone is there to guide the story. My favorite part of working on the show would have to be the dancing. There are multiple incredible dancers in this cast and I think their talents shine within all of the dances. Each dance perfectly describes the emotion within the scene,” Kennedy said.
Along with the cast list released November 14, Corocan posted the tech list for students working behind the scenes. Not only does the show require work by the cast, but management also plays a significant role in making the show run smoothly. Additionally, this colorful production involves work by student costumers, set designers and even the cast themselves to stun viewers with staging.
As the show nears, students practice their lines and choreography to ensure a smooth show weekend. To impress the NC community, students will continue to spend their time working toward an outcome that they will enjoy. After the show ends, students may choose to audition for the next musical production, which remains unknown as of now.
