Taylor musical “Working” debuts over the last weekend of J-term, but the cast of 16 has been preparing since auditions ended.
Developing this performance has required memorizing the script, choreography and music and designing both a set and costumes.
While the cast is soon expected to memorize their script, the performers memorized music in early November. Throughout the musical, singing is used to describe the occupations of various workers.
“Working” recognizes societal roles often taken for granted, and portrays how people relate their identity to their vocation, Conor Angell, department co-chair and professor of music—lyric theatre & voice, said.
“Not only do the stories point out the defining role that work has in our identity,” Angell said, “They give us glimpses of why humans create and accept certain work environments: as an escape, for our descendants, out of greed, for (the) love of the specific job, et cetera.”
Angell appreciated how “Working” allows characters to be complicated, refusing to stereotype them based on their job.
He said he was thrilled at how the musical prompted cast members to consider their identity in relation to their vocation. The performance preparation process led to many conversations about work among the cast. Angell sees this as beneficial, especially at a time when students are preparing to jump into the workforce.
“It’s great for them to be thinking this over,” he said. “We’ve had some guests come and talk to us, faculty members (and) the director of our Calling and Career Center. That’s helped us think about what vocation will be for us. I think it’s been really meaningful for cast members.”
Fitting practices in between the school breaks proved a challenge, Lydia Hertzog, a sophomore theatre arts major and stage manager, said. However, starting immediately after tryouts alleviated much pressure.
Hertzog said that since many rehearsals take place within the recital hall, the crew has been unable to load the set, which presented difficulties.
“We’re making it work,” she said.
She also said that some cast members play multiple characters, which will present additional challenges. However, team exercises aided actors in visualizing how their characters interacted with one another.
Hertzog appreciated the character complexity within “Working.” She said the musical amplified the voices of those who are typically underappreciated.
Hertzog said costume design was finished by Nov. 25 and that pieces will likely be simple.
She expressed excitement for the set design. Though not assembled, the set will split into two levels. These stairs leading to an elevated platform were designed by Conner Reagan, who also designed the set for Taylor’s show, “Newsies.”
Lisa Pinsenschaum, a freshman journalism major portraying a flight attendant in “Working,” expressed excitement at the musical’s recent development in choreography.
She also appreciated how the rehearsal process has acted as a bonding experience for the performers.
“I think we've gotten a lot closer through it,” she said. "The story starts coming alive. And through that, we find our characters, but we also learn how to work with each other and bounce off of each other."
Pinsenschaum is excited to celebrate the underappreciated in the workforce with her cast members through Taylor’s J-term musical, “Working.”
While the performers were able to learn from the experience, Pinsenschaum felt that the audience will be able to learn about the relationship between identity and vocation as well.
“I think people will really enjoy it and gain a greater appreciation for different jobs, apart from their stereotypes,” she said. “The performance will be awesome.”
