Each year as March approaches, students begin to buzz about the Drama Club’s annual spring musical. Many students discuss their excitement to see the production and attempt to coordinate going with their friends to see it. What many do not realize, however, is that the Drama Club begins preparing long before March. Their work leading up to the musical typically starts in September, and this year was no different.
Preparations for their 2026 show kicked off with a Drama Club meeting in the auditorium during PLT. Club Sponsors Ms. Heather Giammaria and Ms. Debrah Evans organized the meeting for students who were interested in participating.
The meeting introduced students to the audition process, as well as what being in the musical entails. Giammaria and Evans walked students through how to audition and what they needed to do leading up to their audition. They also spoke about the roles of the stage crew, including building the set and assisting cast members on the night of the musical.
New for this year, Giammaria and Evans introduced an audition boot camp. The purpose of the audition boot camp was to help those interested in doing the musical crush their auditions, not just for this production, but also Red Barn and other advanced-level musicals.
The new audition boot camp took place on Sept. 18 through 21. Students worked with vocal and acting coaches one-on-one to help them improve. Students would perform their audition songs and monologues for the coach before working on technique and delivery. Evans herself also taught a masterclass, where students could learn from each other and nail their audition.
“It allowed us to see more of the kids and see what they could do, and really make sure that they came into the audition prepared and giving it their best,” Evans said.
After the conclusion of the audition boot camp, the Drama Club shifted to actual auditions. Auditions offered an experience much like the audition boot camp, minus the coaches in the room as well. Students performed a number or monologue of their choice. Based on their performances, Giammaria, Evans and the other directors determined who they would invite to call-backs. From auditions, they created cast lists based on who they thought would be good for certain roles.
On Oct. 12, students from the drama club were invited to the Alumni Cabaret, which took place in the auditorium. Many were anxiously awaiting the reveal of the musical. Even before the reveal, the staff dropped subtle clues about what the production was, starting with Evans purposefully tripping on stage, teasing “Accident Waiting to Happen.” The event kicked off with the seniors performing “When I Grow Up” from “Matilda,” a show that all of them had taken part in. The night carried on with graduates spanning 30 years returning to Freedom to perform their selected musical numbers as well.
“I love seeing the alumni come back,” Evans said. “I like to hear how their lives are going and if they are still in theater.”
The Drama Club also held a moment of silence for Mr. Keith Kovalic, otherwise known as Mr. K.K., a former band director of the district.
At the end of the night, the Drama Club introduced their 2026 show: “The Drowsy Chaperone.” This is a 1998 musical that follows a man and the 1928 musical of the same name coming to life in his apartment.
With the Alumni Cabaret wrapping up, the Drama Club turned to the production of the show moving forward. The Drama Club hosts after-school and Saturday rehearsals for members of the stage crew and the cast to diligently practice ahead of the musical.