Alexis James

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Photos By: Alexis James

The tech department is holed up in the booth fixing lighting and sound, the prop department is outside covered in paint and the actors are up on stage singing their hearts out. At first, it seems a little chaotic, but the excitement is palpable. This year, Miami Palmetto Senior High’s drama department is putting on two shows, “Spelling Bee” and “Six,” and it is all hands on deck.

The first show is “Spelling Bee,” with an opening night on Feb. 29 followed by performances on March 1, 6 and 7. “Spelling Bee” is based on a book called “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” by Rachel Sheinkin, and is a comedic musical that follows six teenagers in the spelling bee of a lifetime. 

“[Preparation for “Spelling Bee”] has been going good. We finished blocking and learning all the music. So, now we just practice, practice, practice,” actress and senior Alison Arnold said. 

On the other hand, “Six” will be playing for two nights, April 16 and 17, and has a cast of only six people. The musical is based on the six wives of Henry VIII, who compete in a singing competition to be crowned the ultimate musical sensation. 

“‘Six’ is a lot of dancing, a lot of singing. Our choreographer is virtual, so that’s also another challenge. But, it’s really fun, and we’re all bonding,” actress and junior Olivia Greenwald said. 

Students have stayed after school almost every single day following winter break to prepare.

“We stay after school until 3:30 pretty much every day and then we usually have one or two late days a week. So, today, I’m staying until 4:30. Tomorrow, I’m staying until 4:30. For tech rehearsals and stuff, we stay later,” Greenwald said.

The behind-the-scenes crew has continuously been hard at work during their fourth period to prepare the set, promotional material, lighting and sound.

“Every single day in class, I have to change into painting clothes, grab the rollers, grab the paint cans, carry the set outside and paint for two hours along with probably two students,” senior Amberly Calero said.

This year, preparation is a little different since the drama department is putting on two shows instead of one for the first time. “Spelling Bee” starts in two weeks, and “Six” follows about a month later, so preparation is in full swing. 

“It’s kind of difficult right now because we’re doing two shows, which we’ve never really done before,” Greenwald said. 

During class, the two casts split, with “Spelling Bee” typically practicing in the auditorium and the “Six” cast practicing in the black box theater. Even though the casts are separated, they still get to work together.

“We’re kind of doing our own separate things and then they’ll help tech our show backstage and we’ll help tech theirs when it goes on,” Arnold said.

For Sofia Arnau, the Assistant Stage Manager for “Spelling Bee,” the Stage Manager for “Six” and the lighting designer for both shows, she has more than double the work.

“Honestly, [doing two shows] it’s a little scary, but we haven’t freaked out about it yet because we haven’t really been doing two shows. Like tech, we’ve just been doing the one show [‘Spelling Bee’] and it’s not like they’re cast members in both shows,” Arnau said. 

Those working on the set have also had to shift gears, as they have to design completely different props. “Spelling Bee” is set at an actual spelling bee and “Six” at a pop concert.

“ [Working on two shows is] different because you’re usually used to thinking of one show at a time, but now, you have to think of two. So, we are painting a set for ‘Spelling Bee’ right now, but last week we were doing it at the same time as something for ‘Six,’” Calero said.

Even though this year is different, the drama department is excited. Double the shows means double the fun. So be on the lookout; tickets will be on sale soon.

“Come to the shows! We are working really really hard, and I’m very proud of us,” “Spelling Bee” actress and senior Gabriella Ortega said.