Through the wide array of performance genres, the DGS drama department is eclectic, offering many opportunities for aspiring performers to flourish. This year, DGS is introducing a new activity to the drama department: the IHSA Contest Play. Which will be replacing the previously prevalent IHSA Group Interpretation.
Show director Christopher Blum explains his choice in bringing the Contest Play back to DGS after over 50 years.
The choice to switch to Contest Play was strategic, as Group Interpretation, or GI, made competitive success less attainable in its unique and interpretive style.
“GI is a very specific type of performance, and looking at the skills that our current upperclassmen have, I thought they would best be highlighted in a different event that was in the same tournament as GI, which is the contest play,” Blum said.
This transition has come at a time when DGS drama has a talented group of individuals working behind the scenes as well. Unlike GI, this style of competition requires costumes and set pieces, which will be facilitated by the Stage Crew.
“This year, we chose this because not only did we have the actors that this would really be beneficial to, but our crew is very strong this year. All of them that are involved are going to really be an asset to our success,” Blum said.
Mo Harris will be a part of the crew for this performance, working in audio to help this production come together.
“The crew is going to be traveling wherever the performance is alongside the cast, and then we have roughly 30 minutes to fully put together our set, and whatever lighting has to do, and whatever sound has to do, then the crew has about 30 minutes to take down the set,” Harris said.
This experience is uniting for both actors and crew, as they will work together to put on a memorable show. Junior Carly Bleau plays Sian, the starring role in this performance, and a new role in her expansive acting repertoire.
“The lead, although they’re all fairly equal in role, is Carly Bleau, and she is just a very well-rounded actress. This specific role carries the whole ensemble of the five women. Carly is very excellent at nuance, and I think she’ll be able to really engage the audience and hopefully help take this whole group to state,” Blum said.
While her talent shines brightly, this new style of performance comes with inevitable challenges for the cast and crew alike.
“This character is challenging for me because I’m playing a mother who has lost her child, which I have done before in a different play, but this is definitely a different take on that. It’s definitely going to be a new experience for a lot of us because we all have to work together to put this on, but I think it will make us feel more united as a program,” Bleau said.
As an actor who spends most of her time on the stage, Bleau appreciates the work behind the scenes that helps enhance her performance.
The IHSA Competitive Drama Series Showcase Preview will be held on Mar. 19 at 7 p.m.; tickets do not need to be purchased.