After going behind the scenes with SHC’s cast and crew of Ride the Cyclone, we got an inside look at how the theater program prepared for their unique spring performance. Ride the Cyclone, a 2009 musical, uses music and lyrics to tell a darkly comic, bizarre story about six teenagers who meet an untimely fate in a roller coaster accident. Each character regales stories of their pasts in the afterlife in an effort to return to life, bringing us on a thrilling journey with countless unexpected twists.
Cast member Liv Hughston ‘28 believes that the show is about “kids learning about the meaning of life and friendship through a singing battle to determine who will be brought back to life.” She adds that the production, “shows you a bunch of different backgrounds to people’s lives and, at least for me, has made me cherish my life even more.”
With rehearsals every day of the week from 2:45-5 pm, SHC’s Ride The Cyclone cast has been preparing for this highly anticipated performance since before Christmas break. Each day at rehearsal, the cast dedicates hours to perfecting choreography, strengthening vocals, and immersing themselves in their roles as actors. Along with talent, the cast’s consistent dedication and sacrifice to this play attest to their diligence and teamwork. Although long rehearsals can be tiresome, many cast members believe that time spent together fosters socialization and bonding within the cast; for example, Ashling Murphy ‘26 finds this atmosphere to be “super fun and exciting”.
Although strict rehearsal times may take away from schoolwork, Ashling explains that her teachers have been very understanding of how this time commitment may affect students’ ability to complete schoolwork. Additionally, she has learned to prioritize dedicating weekends to catch up and do her homework. Similarly, Julian Coleman ‘26 revealed that the cast schedule has “definitely put a strain on the academic side of my life, because when I get home from rehearsal, I have just enough or barely enough time to get homework and studying done before bed. On top of that, practicing lines and the music takes even more time out of my day”. That being said, having been in nine different productions at SHC, Julian understands this stress and the importance of planning ahead in theatre.
Another huge aspect of this musical is the technical side of production. During our time speaking with her, Liv Hughston ‘28 also highlights the importance of the behind-the-scenes teams, explaining that “with the set, lights, sound, and costume, we have different crews who take care of each aspect of the theater.” She describes how the costume crew designs each character’s looks, while both the tech and set crew work throughout the production process to build and refine set pieces. Even in the final weeks before opening night, the tech crew is “still putting effort in to make sure they create the right effect, set, and prop that fits the show.” Their dedication as a team transforms the stage into a fantastical world.
SHC’s theater program demonstrates strong dedication and teamwork in bringing the production to life. From selecting a bold and thrilling show, to spending hours every day rehearsing, building sets, and perfecting choreography, the cast and crew have invested innumerable hours of time and energy. Balancing the academic aspect of school with their rehearsals can be challenging, but cast members say that careful planning makes it possible and a friendly family-like atmosphere make it rewarding. The result of all this: a production that showcases the incredible talent and deep commitment of SHC theater.
