The Disney Channel has made a massive impact on teenagers around the world with various TV shows and original movies. Wakefield Theatre Company has decided to bring Disney Channel to the stage as they begin rehearsing for Disney’s “Descendants: The Musical.”
Descendants centers around the children of famous Disney villains, such as Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, Jafar and the Evil Queen, who adventure out of their segregated island, the Isle of the Lost, to experience a new lifestyle in Auradon. The story depicts themes of loving someone for who they are and accepting someone different.
Senior Ainsley Barlow, who plays Mal, the snarky and misunderstood daughter of Maleficent, is very excited to put this show on for the public to see. She wants everyone to see all of the hard work they had to do to get this show up and running. Getting the role of Mal was unexpected and surprising for Barlow because stepping into a leading role can be different and shocking.
“It is my first main [role] in a mainstage production, so I am very excited to show everyone how much I have grown since freshman year,” Barlow said.
Freshman Harper Le Lewis plays an Aurodonian choir member in the production. Lewis notices that it takes a lot to develop a character to make your own, so she is very proud of her fellow cast members for working hard to create these wonderful characters.
“There are a lot of details in [characters like] Doug, Maleficent and Chad, where they are putting so much work in these characters,” Lewis said. “[They are] doing all of these little things that make the character so much more.”
Junior Avery Brasch, co-stage manager of Descendants, assists the director with anything she may need during the rehearsal process. This job also entails keeping rehearsals organized and in line for the director. Brasch is using this role as stage manager to show her skills such as being a leader and keeping things in order.
“I might look into becoming a producer or director in the future, so I think this would work into that,” Brasch said.
Catherine Delaney is stepping into bigger shoes by being the new theater director and students are more than thrilled to be able to work with her. For the past few years, she has taught at Wakefield Middle School, so the space is familiar to her. She has many ideas for the future of this theater company.
“[I want to] grow the program, create a space where people can find what they are passionate about [and] just create an inclusive community where people can come together,” Delaney said.
The cast and crew are all excited to be able to put on a show such as this. All of the hard work and dedication will be worth it once they step foot on that stage on opening night. Working together makes the rehearsal process better and easier to get through. The dates for the show are November 21-23 in the auditorium. Tickets can be purchased on the Wakefield Theatre GoFan.
“I honestly just think that working with [the stage managers] and Mrs. Delaney makes [the rehearsal process] so much easier and faster,” Lewis said.
