High School Drama Club Holds Auditions

 by Hannah Fineman, SSLI '25

Yesterday, the high school Drama Club gathered after school to hold auditions for the spring musical. This year’s performance is Chicago: Teen Edition, and students are looking forward to putting on an exciting show filled with fun music and exciting dances.

Students "dazzled" the teachers during their auditions. (J. Weston)

At the auditions, students sang a song from the musical, read lines with a scene partner, and performed the famous “We Both Reached for the Gun” dance from Chicago. Ms. Weston, the high school drama director, ran the auditions with help from Ms. Delaire and Mr. Pitt Stoller. Weston shared, “We had a lot of new students that were signing up [and] registering to be in the show, so that was very surprising.” Weston continued that it was “also inspiring to see that the high school students are really passionate about being a part of the … show.”

Senior Samson Mildron, a veteran actor of Schechter theater, said, “This year, the cast is phenomenal. In the past, our small, but mighty, troop has pulled some amazing feats together. Now, however, it seems like more people in our Schechter kehillah have decided to become part of the wondrous program that is…Schechter drama. I love seeing such high turnout from our beloved freshman, and I am excited for what the future holds.”

“I think it’s looking really hopeful in terms of … the cast,” explained Layna Botwinick, a current junior. Botwinick is also excited for the show to “have a lot more kids” since “it’s going to make things a little bit easier, and it’s gonna make the ride a bit smoother.”

Weston added, “We have students that have now been in two or three other productions, Little Shop of Horrors and Mean Girls, and so for them it's another opportunity to maybe land a lead role or just play a completely different character than what they have in the past.” Weston also explained, “We have some new students and some freshmen that I’m sure [will] be fantastic based on these auditions. We were so impressed with the talent that we have here at Schechter, and I’m just looking forward to seeing all of them shine and…become the best performers they can be.”

Despite all the excitement, the actors and actresses were apprehensive about their auditions. Botwinick said, “I was really nervous at first…because the character I want to play is kind of out of my comfort zone.” She elaborated, “I was really nervous to sing her role… because her songs are a little bit low, but I felt good after.”

Mildron shared that he is looking forward to “all of the dancing that is found in this musical as I am confident that our troop will have a very fun time with it. I am also excited to make memories and strengthen our drama kehillah.”

The choreography in this musical will definitely be a highlight. Weston said, “I love the choreography from this musical. I love Bob Fosse. I’m a huge fan of his work…so I am really looking forward to that.” She continued, saying, “It’s jazz. It’s tap. It’s all the styles of dance that I love, so I cannot wait to see the dance numbers come to life.”

Weston concluded, “It’s such an unbelievable experience to be a part of a show…and then, when it comes to fruition…the feedback that the students get can last far into the next year.”

Hannah Fineman is a writer for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since November 2021. Hannah is currently a senior at the Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: hfineman25@schechterli.org