Students swing across the stage. Technicians carefully craft set pieces and costumes. Directors encourage their students to reach their full potential.
The Tiger Theatre Company at Texas High School prepares to stage their most complex, abstract production yet, “Tarzan: The Musical”. The production will be put on in the Sullivan Performing Arts Center at Texas High School.
To bring this show to life and capture the unique feel of it, TTC will be incorporating a fly system that aids the actors in swinging through the air.
“We had been looking into multiple different ways to be able to swing on ropes have a bunch of different characters be swinging on the vines,” senior stage manager Alexis Swanson said. “The flying system was the best way to go about [replicating the apes swinging on the vines].”
With safety being the number one priority of the company, the directors casted an entire “fly crew” that will be managing the fly rail system, ensuring the safety of all performers on and near the fly system. Performers tend to feel much safer in the presence of the fly crew.
“The fly system is my favorite part of the show,” senior Julius Ricks said. “It creates the illusion that we are actually in the jungle, and it makes me feel more like my character.”
A heavily student-led production, many students are being given the opportunity to take the lead and acquire new responsibilities that will challenge them to go beyond their limits. Assistant director Mikenzie Burns, alongside head costumer Ash Shuman and his crew of helpers, are working diligently to hand make every costume from pieces of fabric for this production. The main goal of theirs proves to be ensuring that every detail of the costumes will align with the vision the company sees for the show.
“When I am designing the costumes for ‘Tarzan’, I try to think about what each specific character will need,” Shuman said. “After figuring that out, I jump into [making the costumes] right away.”
Students not only have opportunities to take on new positions off stage, but many actors will also portray new variations of roles that completely switch from what they’re used to performing.
Senior Lily Nielsen will take on the iconic role of Jane Porter, which she sees to be very different from previous roles she’s played in years past.
“I really enjoy playing Jane because she’s very familiar to me,” Nielsen said. “She has qualities that are similar to me, such as being a big nerd and getting really excited about smaller things. It’s been refreshing to be able to play a role that’s a little closer to who I am in real life.”
Due to the fact that this production proves highly intricate and complex, the Tiger Theatre Company made the decision to incorporate students from several elementary schools in TISD, along with students at Texas Middle School. These students will be portraying younger versions of Tarzan, apes and creatures of the trees.
“[My favorite part about working with the high schoolers is] the fun we have,” middle school ensemble member Amelia Bramhall said. “It’s super fun working with the high schoolers, but them mentoring us is the best part.”
“Tarzan” will show on December 5, 6 and 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and can be purchased at ttcths.booktix.com.
“This is the second show in TTC history where we’ve used a fly system,” senior Justin Gentry said. “This, along with many other aspects, is going to really bring the show to life, and I feel like everyone should come to see it.”
