Taking the stage on Feb. 4-7, “Silent Sky” is overall the second show to be double-casted at Free State. With each cast having a total of five people, members of the cast such as junior Seraphina Braden said she raised ambivalent feelings when she heard the show was being double casted. With this being her first play at Free State, she wasn’t sure what to expect with such few members on top of the cast being doubled.
“There’s twice as many opportunities for someone to get a role. That’s the main benefit and appeal of a double cast,” Braden said.
Compared to past shows in middle school with larger casts, Braden said that the smaller cast has overall sped up the production. Following the faster moving production, Braden said it has also allowed her to shine more focus onto her character.
“In middle school, when I did theater…, there was a lot less time to focus on individual nuance to the characters,” Braden said. “It’s been going a lot faster than I’ve seen other productions go.”
Junior Emmett Henry said he has also noticed a significant difference in larger casts and smaller casts. With less people, Henry said that more direction is displayed on their individual characters.
As a consequence of the small cast, freshman Charlotte Lamb said that there is extra pressure added on to each individual character. However, she said the smaller cast can improve others’ acting skills.
“Having a smaller cast puts more on each person, which in some ways is bad, but also gives a good opportunity for improving somebody’s acting,” Lamb said.
Despite the cast being doubled, Braden said the small cast has improved her acting skills. Compared to middle school, she said she has noticed that her skills have since then been refined.
“I was a lot worse as an actor than I have been through the process of rehearsing,” Braden said. “I feel like it’s been refreshing to sharpen my skills.”
On another note, Braden, Henry and Lamb all said they’re on the same page that they would be willing to act in a small cast again. Lamb said the smaller cast led her to new friendships.
“I’m friends with everyone on the cast now, which I haven’t experienced before. It’s been very different, but very fun,” Lamb said.
