Rehearsals continue for ‘Exit the Body’
Rehearsal for this year’s advanced drama play is well underway for the production “Exit the Body” a three-act farce by Fred Carmichael. The cast was announced on August 21st and features many veteran performers.
Returning seniors include Tori Hack who will play Crane Hammond a novelist from New York City; Cara Williams will portray Kate Bixley, Mrs. Hammond’s secretary; Sam Kimbrough will play Lyle Rogers, the young husband of Lillian Seymour, Crane’s friend; Gerald McCullers will portray Vernon Cookley, the town sheriff, among many other occupations; and Mitchell Hays will play Randolf, a man hired by “The Boss” to search for diamonds in Mrs. Hammonds rented house.
Senior Cara Williams is eager to return to the stage for the third time as a cast member.
“This is my favorite play that I have been a part of. We have a really great cast this year, and we all get along really well,” Williams said.
Also returning is junior Tyler Gibbs who will play Philip Smith, a man who has lost his memory and cannot decide if he is a good guy or a villain.
New to the stage this year are juniors Shae Ellsworth and Hannah Tribbey and sophomores Rylee Rich and Jacob Archer.
Ellsworth will play Lillian Seymour, a fashion designer and a friend of Mrs. Hammond. Tribbey will portray Jenny, Mrs. Hammond’s housekeeper. Rich will play the part of Helen O’Toole, a real estate agent, and Archer will portray Richard Hammond, Crane’s husband.
Rich is excited about being in the advanced drama production for the first time.
“I have competed with the speech team before and performed at the state level, but this is my first year on stage. I’m glad I get to be a part of the show,” Rich said.
Advanced Drama teacher, Paula McConnell, said she is very happy with the cast that was chosen.
“The students that were cast fit their roles so well. Everyone is developing their characters and really exploring their parts,” McConnell said.
“Exit the Body” is a murder mystery, not unlike those that Mrs. Hammond is famous for writing. It is a farce, meaning there are many opening and closing doors and many near misses.
Mrs. Hammond is renting a house in New England to relax and write, however her relaxing vacation is forgotten quickly as everyone begins to search for the rumored stolen diamonds that the house’s previous owner seems to have left behind.
The play will debut in a matinee for the high school students on October 11th and an evening show for the public the following evening.