Two Schools, One Stage
Clarke County’s two main high schools are jointly producing “Mamma Mia!” this Spring. Clarke Central drama director Kayla Griffin and Cedar Shoals drama director Rosemary Milsap are co-directing the musical, bringing together talented actors from both schools and putting them on one stage April 17-20h.
Though this is the first time the current actors have collaborated, this isn’t the first time the Cedar and Central drama classes have worked together. The last show performed by both schools was the 2014 joint production of “Les Miserables.”
“We actually realized that we’re starting (this collaboration) in 2024, the last show was in 2014, and then the one before that was in 2004,” Griffin said. “So it’s almost like every 10 years, we combine, which is pretty cool.”
Considering this coincidental tradition, the decision to share the stage this year is even more important. As the Cedar Shoals Larry G. McLure fine arts building is under renovation, the auditorium won’t be available for use until next school year. Because of this obstacle, Milsap and Griffin started planning the joint production, with Central hosting the rehearsals and showings of “Mamma Mia!”
“It’ll get more intense as we get close to showtime. We’ll do everything we can to advertise to the Cedar crew from our end: on Cedar channels, announcements and selling tickets, just like we would if the show were here,” Milsap said.
SHOWING OUT- Central and Cedar students warming up, and practicing before auditions start. ” I want to embrace this new opportunity and make new friends in another theater group, and just expand my horizons,” Saniah Norton, 12th grader at Cedar said. Photo by Camari Stevenson.
Auditions were held pre-renovation on Dec. 9 in the Cedar Shoals fine arts building. Students prepared two songs, one from “Mamma Mia!” along with its dance number along with a monologue. These requirements gave Milsap and Griffin a feel for their potential casts’ range in each field.
“It’s a really intense audition, but it’s a really intense show,” Milsap said. “One thing you have to create in auditions is sort of a ‘Hey you need to be able to do this much if you think you’re going to be able to do the show.’”
Clarke Central senior Madison Hampton-Ellis, who will be playing Donna, combatted the nerves of the audition by getting comfortable with her material.
“I picked a monologue that I could have fun with and studied it a ton, picked a song I knew well and felt confident singing,” Ellis said. “I get really nervous for auditions so I just try to make sure I know the material as well as possible.”
Cedar junior Quiniyah Jefferies, who will be playing Tanya, took a similar approach. Having participated in two productions at Cedar, Jefferies has some experience with performing in a musical.
“I know that there are some really good people, so I’m kind of nervous about that. I’ve never actually done a formal audition,” Jefferies said. “I know that I can perform to the best of my abilities, I’m just going to see what the result is.”
When it comes to deciding on final casting, both Milsap and Griffin look for similar traits when picking the perfect actor for a role.
“First and foremost, I look for a closeness to the character that they are auditioning for. I look for how they hold under pressure, and how they work with their castmates,” Griffin said.
A connection between the actor and character brings the character to life. Making them feel like a real person and their connection with the musical is what Milsap and Griffin look for from the actors.
“A famous quote from Steven Sondheim said he’d ‘rather have actors that can sing, than singers who can act,’ and I think that’s true for lead parts. You need an actor to carry the character, not just sing the songs,” Milsap said.
Other than main roles, Milsap emphasizes the ensemble. With musical dance numbers, the actors aren’t the only important parts of the ensemble in creating the full musical picture.
“Getting into the ensemble is huge. You are on stage just all the time, singing and dancing,” Milsap said. “Really to me, all the fun is going to be in the ensemble, the vast majority of people who will be cast in the show will be in the ensemble.”
Planning to perform showings in April, Milsap, Griffin and the cast will work with Cedar dance teacher Chria Midgette and Central chorus teacher Shelynn Scott to select student leaders to help prepare the dance and musical numbers for the show. The production will also include community volunteers to help behind the scenes, making “Mamma Mia!” a true Athens effort to showcase student talent together.
“We are really excited to share resources and students. While we do have a rivalry that can be fun and healthy in sports, I think in terms of our art programs and what we offer in terms of talent we definitely work together,” Griffin said.
