CHS presents ‘Up the Down Staircase’

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Carmel High School senior Mackenzie Gonzalez is getting a glimpse of life as a teacher through her theater work.

ND 1114 CHS PLAY GONZALEZ
Gonzalez

“It’s challenging to handle students all at once.” Gonzalez said. “It’s all scripted but they are kind of a rowdy bunch. It’s interesting to see from a teacher’s perspective trying to rein students in and keep a controlled environment.”

Gonzalez plays the role of idealistic teacher Sylvia Barrett in CHS’s production of “Up the Down Staircase,” set for Nov. 16 to 18 in the school’s Studio Theater. Performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 16, 17 and 18 and 2 p.m. Nov. 18.

Originally a 1964 novel by a New York City school teacher, it was adapted into a play and then a movie starring Sandy Dennis in 1967.

“What drew me to it was how much things have changed but how little has changed,” director Jim Peterson said. “There’s a lot that hasn’t changed from the way she deals with the students and way she deals with administration. It spoke to me being a veteran teacher. It took me back to being a first-year (teacher).”

Peterson did update some of the dialogue and allows students to have their cellphones so it more resembles today’s classroom.

Gonzalez said she loves Barrett.

“She always wants to do the right thing,” Gonzalez said. “She has a really good heart.”

This is the biggest part Gonzalez has played, so a challenge has been learning all the lines.

ND 1114 CHS PLAY Murray
Murray

“There is a lot of back-and-forth. You have to keep up with everything to keep the show flowing,” she said.

Senior Jason Murray plays Mr. McHabe, dean of discipline.

“I enjoy that he is a powerful figure and other characters respect his authority in the school,” Murray said. “It’s enjoyable to play someone that has that kind of power in real life. It’s challenging because it’s not who I am as a person and not that commanding.”

Junior Sophia Hughes, who played Charlotte in “Charlotte’s Web” at CHS last winter, plays a rebellious teen-ager named Jo.

ND 1114 CHS Play Hughes
Hughes

“It’s a fun role but it’s definitely more emotionally challenging than Charlotte, for example, because she has a lot of inner turmoil she has to deal with,” Hughes said. “I relate to a lot of things she is relating to but it’s hard to put that on stage and make it relatable to everyone watching it. I think it’s something every student in high school can relate to, all the inner-struggles that high school students have.”

For more, visit ticketracker.com.


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