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Senior to direct HS fall production

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Payton Botelho, Entertainment Editor

Senior Joy Stachmus will be the director of the fall production this year.  The cast will present the play Alice at the Fairfield HS auditorium on November 13 at 7:00 p.m. and November 14 at 2:00 p.m. 

“Joy came to me at the end of last school year and asked if she could direct the 2021 Fall Production,” teacher director Hannah Spradlin said. “I had reservations at first, because directing and producing a show is complex and time-consuming. There are so many components that go into it: costumes, blocking, set pieces, lights, sound, and more. I am thoroughly impressed with Joy’s ability to execute this task. She has been so professional and meticulous throughout this process, and she is an excellent leader to her peers. I can’t wait for the final product and to see what her future has in store!”

Prices are $7 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children four and under.

“I really like the direction the play is going this year,” senior Alyson Sanchez said. “I like how much student involvement there is. As a senior I’m excited, and I don’t want it to end.”

Stachmus plans to become an actress and is building up her resume by directing this play. She has not decided where she wants to go for college, but is currently undertaking the long process of auditioning for theater programs. The degree plan Stachmus has is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting or Musical Theatre and hopes to know which school she will be going to in the spring.

“I don’t think people truly understand how difficult directing a play is. Despite this difficulty, I knew I could take on the challenge from the moment the idea popped in my head,” Stachmus said. “It has been one of the most exciting and stressful events of my high school career, and I couldn’t ask for a better way to spend my senior year at FHS.”

The entire cast is as follows: Payton Botelho as Louise Carroll, Britney Delgado as Alice, Emma Jo Smith as White Rabbit and Caterpillar, Alyson Sanchez as Queen Mother, Queen of Hearts, and Jane,  Reggie Robinson as Squire and King of Hearts, Paisley Lewis as Mouse, Dormouse, and Seven, Ben Kilkenny as Dodo, Tweedledee, and Five, Yadira Yepez as Daisy, Mad Hatter, and Tweedledum, Jeremy Kilienny as March Hare, Pat, and Carpenter, Vianney Orona Cuellar as Cheshire Cat, Jaycee Jobe as Eaglet, Rose, Walrus, Bill, and Guard, Natalia Roldan as Knave and Fury, Dennise Salazar as Tiger Lily, Tree, and Oyster, Mayte Hidalgo as Tree and Oyster, Joanna Limones as Tree and Oyster, Kendall Smith as Tree, Oyster, and Jury. Lights and Sound are Nathan Dunlap, Sebastian Matthews, Seth Couture, and Jerry Draper. Stage crew consists of Rachel Reyes, Dennise Salazar, Mayte Hidalgo, Alex Gallegos, Bailee Acreman,  Karley Thomassen, Joanna Limones, Kendall Smith, and Makenzie Van as stage manager.