All six Guilford ABC scholars sang and acted in the spring musical, “Little Shop of Horrors” and expressed positive reviews of the student-created experience.
“It gave us a chance to be part of a bigger picture. Everyone was welcoming – all there together, and no one was left out,” said Kyra, who was in her freshman year at GHS and played the part of an urchin. “The atmosphere at Guilford High School is no hierarchy.” She praised the guidance and direction by teacher Ms. Cara Mulqueen-Teasdale, theatre arts department coordinator.
“She had us all on the same level, welcoming anyone who came into the room, and it was a lot of fun.”
Andrea, one of the ensemble singers and now a rising senior, found the play “an amazing experience! It was my first time as a GHS actor, and even though it was hard work, it was a good group and it reassured me when other people told us how good we were.”
Janelle, who just graduated and is going on to study at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, worked on props in a group of 14 students who made everything for the set, including the revolving florist shop.
“I was amazed at how long it took to make the dentist gas mask – we worked on it five times! It was fun meeting younger students, and we all got along. If we had problems, we talked it out.”
Tamojah, now a rising sophomore, assisted the props crew chief. She glowed when she spoke of the props team.
“I really liked them all.” Because all elements of the show were student-made, she worked on making the leaves for the florist shop setting and the dentist mask as well.
Kilee, graduating senior who will head for Boston University this fall, also played and sang as a street urchin.
“I loved being on stage!” she trilled “It’s an escape from the real world. I had fun with my accent and costume – in the 1950s style. My favorite song was ‘Downtown.’ She appreciated the guidance of Ms. Mulqueen-Teasdale – “Immerse yourself in the role. Become one with the role. She was really good at working with all students.”
Kyra, a rising sophomore this fall, liked learning “how to be part of a bigger picture and learn why things are in the play. We also learned how to pre-plan each element because all students participated in the creation.”
The girls remembered the fun of the Wrap Party where they sang songs and played with the pinata. Their most important takeaway from participating in the spring musical: “There was no embarrassment if you made a mistake. No ridicule.”
Lynn Prendergast, Resident Director of ABC Guilford, praised the play experience as “helping the girls learn skills and branch out.”