MRH Students Prepare for "A Raisin in the Sun"

The production of A Raisin in the Sun will debut at on Thursday, November 3. Auditions have taken place, roles have been cast and the challenges have begun. Putting on a performance requires more than talent. Along with being able to act, hard work, excellent organizational skills, team work, many hours of rehearsals and continuous motivation are needed to make a play work.

A play usually has a theme and A Raisin in the Sun is a play with both a theme and a story line. All cast members agreed that happiness and family trumped having a lot of money and wants to convey the American Dream idea to the audience.

Senior Chris Dubose, who will play Lee Younger, feels this message is the most important.

"In my eyes, the American Dream means to be overall happy with yourself and family. You don't always have to be wealthy to live the American Dream," said Dubose.

Since the members are in sync with the message of A Raisin in the Sun, they will focus on rehearsals and keeping up with school work. Senior Jaszmyn Epps, who will play Lena Younger, said the team rehearses from 3:30-5:30 pm. Monday through Thursday. Epps also has a good balancing act as she practices during her busy schedule.

"It is the same as being a student athlete. You just have to stay on top of everything and prioritize in the time you don't have rehearsals," said Epps.

Once the actor has the script, the responsibility of learning lines and becoming familiar with the character begins. Junior Morgan Patterson-Gill, who will play Ruth Younger, has a good strategy for learning her lines.

"I memorize my lines saying them over and over again in rehearsal. Also it is very helpful for me to say my lines in front of a mirror," said Patterson-Gill.

All the cast members admit that forgetting a line on stage usually doesn't happen very often. But, if it ever did they rely on other cast members to bail them out.

“They might make something up on the spot so that you remember your line or they continue talking and your line may never get said unless it is really important,” Patterson-Gill said.

The play premieres on November 3 and continues through November 5. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5.00.