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British Theatre company helps to create next Hillcrest play

May 08, 2017 04:12PM ● By Julie Slama

HHS theater students, will take part in an original theater production written for hillcrest Hillcrest by a British theater company. (Sara Diggins)

By Julie Slama    |    [email protected]
 
Hillcrest High theatre students will have the opportunity few Utah theatre students will experience: a chance to work with a professional British theatre company in creating their next play.
 
“From the minute they arrive and for the six days, our students will work with Frantic Assembly to create an original production through physical movement for our final performance,” Hillcrest High theatre director Josh Long said.
 
The Tony Award-winning Frantic Assembly has toured extensively across Great Britain and worked in 40 countries.  The company collaborates with directing, movement direction and choreography through theatre, dance, television and film.
 
The show, titled “Mirrors”, will be performed at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 18 through Saturday, May 20 in the auditorium, 7350 S. 900 East. Tickets are $8 in advance online or $10 at the door.
 
Long said that the show is created specifically for the Midvale community and is appropriate for the entire family.
 
“It’s a flash in time, and it will only be there this once,” he said.
 
Hillcrest’s relationship with Frantic Assembly began last spring, when Frantic Assembly Associate Director Scott Pittman helped with Hillcrest’s production of “Argonautika”. Afterward, Pittman told Long that they could create a whole show for Hillcrest theatre students.
 
“We decided to create a show based on topics that are relevant to students and society,” Long said.  “Our students will explore the meaning of modern masculinity as well as the lack of women represented in the media, such as in movies and plays. Our show will reflect our society on stage.”
 
Long said that all year, the students have discussed and worked along those themes. The show, which will be performed by Hillcrest’s productions company, will also address treatment of others and bullying. 
 
“We haven’t talked much about the actual show as we don’t want to get ideas or any preconceived designs. I want to let the students work with Frantic Assembly to create the play through movement and expression,” he said.
 
That idea is motivating for senior Gracie Otto.
 
“I’m looking forward to going on this amazing journey with my fellow company members to develop our own piece that relates to not only our lives, but those in our community,” she said. “I’m excited for the unique process of devising the show and having the opportunity of working with Frantic Assembly.”
 
This production comes off Hillcrest theatre winning first place at the regional competition March 22.  Along with the overall sweepstakes trophy, several students brought home awards.
These include first place in dramatic monologue by sophomore Ambrie Holley and junior Sarah Turpin with “The Plough & the Stars”; first place in classical scene by senior Braden Hastings, junior Luke Morley and junior Jeremiah Rodgers in “Ivanov”; second place in dramatic monologue by senior Keira Swift and sophomore Sthuti Patel with “Good People”; second place in classical scene by senior Sarah Guertler and junior Nikolas Vidal in “Love’s Labour’s Lost”; second place in humorous monologue by senior Kylee Tuckfield and sophomore Megan Wheat in “Darleen Dances”; third place in humorous monologue by sophomore Kami Loertscher and freshman Eliza Luker in “Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike”; third place in pantomime by junior Savannah Pursglove, junior Gloria Swenson and sophomore Ryleigh Smith in “Anxiety”; and third place in musical theatre by senior Katie Ashton, sophomore Quinton McFarland, sophomore Ethan Pearce, freshman April Muller and junior Brynlee Owen in “On the Twentieth Century”.
 
Hillcrest was expected to compete at the state theatre competition April 22.