Have you ever watched a musical or play and wondered how the performance could look so effortless and natural? Amanda Martin, a St. Luke’s senior and theater protege, knows exactly what makes this kind of magic possible. Amanda started in the St. Luke’s theater community as a 5th grader and has returned to the stage every season since. Over time, she has acquired lead and ensemble roles in Mamma Mia, Into the Woods, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, to name a few. As she prepares for her final Winter musical, Fiddler on the Roof, she is extremely excited to take on the role of Grandma Tzeitel, a character she describes as a “shrieky demon lady.” With her extensive involvement and years of experience in past productions, Amanda understands exactly what kind of elements make for a truly successful performance.
This November, Amanda began the winter musical season by auditioning for multiple roles in Fiddler on the Roof, sang excerpts from the soundtrack, and participated in a few chemistry readings. She explains that the purpose of this two day audition process is to “see who meshes where and who is going to be able to act best in a certain way.”
Amanda also notes that building stamina is one of the most important factors to putting on a great show. During the winter, you can most likely find Amanda at school from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM almost every day of the week. As Amanda puts it, “ something that a lot of people outside of theater don’t comprehend is how much time and work goes into it [productions].” On average, Amanda attends rehearsal for 2-3 hours everyday after school, and when she is not at school, she is either doing homework, memorizing her lines, or listening to the Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack as she drives back home. Although exhausting, Amanda explains that “practice makes perfect” when it comes to putting on a great performance.
It is also important to recognize that there is a lot of hard work that goes into each rehearsal. During the first few rehearsals, Amanda and the cast learned all of the songs. One challenge during rehearsals is that Amanda and her cast will focus on the soundtrack one day, but start learning choreography the next. It is up to Amanda to retain all the staging, dancing, and singing. She also notes that it is also extremely difficult to rehearse when her co-stars are absent, and explains that “…sometimes you have to imagine that they are there, but it is important that there is a human aspect to working with the person versus working with a substitute or empty space”. Despite these challenges, Vincent Sagona, the Director of St. Luke’s Performing Arts, recognizes that “…in addition to her inherent talent, Amanda arrives at rehearsals prepared, enthusiastic, and ready to work. Amanda elevates the work of those around her because she demonstrates a respect for the process…” Amanda takes the SLS musicals very seriously and understands that it is her responsibility, as well as her casts’, to stay up to date with all the details from her rehearsals to ensure a successful performance.
During tech week, the week before the show, the entire production is assembled and Amanda will perform in full costume while incorporating props and lighting cues. Tech week is especially important for Amanda because it closely replicates what the show will actually be like. Amanda will run through the show multiple times and receive feedback on how to improve. She understands that this repetition helps her feel more comfortable on stage as she prepares for the approaching production.
The final step to ensuring a successful performance takes place during opening night. This year, Amanda, will be performing on February 19th for the entire school. Amanda will arrive at 8:45 AM to review last minute staging, get into costume, and mentally prepare for the performance. While waiting to perform, you can find Amanda backstage going over her lines in the dressing room and putting on final touches to her makeup. Amanda describes the atmosphere as “a controlled chaos”, where every cast member knows their responsibilities and moves quickly to stay on schedule. She notes that there is a true sense of camaraderie backstage. This can be especially seen when cast members have to switch costumes quickly or when there is any type of malfunction on or off stage. This collaboration behind the scenes allows for the performance on stage to run smoothly.
Even though the audience only experiences a 2 hour performance, Amanda’s journey with St. Luke’s theater reveals how much hard work is put into a short performance. After all her years in theater, the most important thing Amanda has learned is that the “effortless” quality of a performance requires a lot of effort. So, the next time you see an amazing production, just remember that behind every curtain awaits a dedicated cast whose months of rehearsal make each great performance possible.
