The “Rumors” are true: the drama team’s comedic fall play will be this year’s first production under new director Michelle Shannon. The play revolves around a host who attempted suicide and a missing hostess. As the guests try to cover up the host’s injury from the public, their excuses lead to a series of misunderstandings. The performance will run for three nights, from Oct. 24-26.
Michelle Shannon, who previously worked in production and directing, succeeds Cynthia Skelton as Burlingame’s drama director. Shannon said that, despite her experience with the program, she was nervous about taking on the new role.
“It’s hard to come into somebody else’s house, somebody who’s been established and created such a beautiful, loving program,” Shannon said. “Am I going to be able to do what they did, while also developing my own traditions?”
Although this is her first year as drama director, Shannon said the transition has been smooth.
“Everybody was so beautifully welcoming, it felt like a really natural progression for me,” Shannon said.
According to Shannon, she was drawn to “Rumors” for the fall play because of its comedic tone.
“I wanted to do something a little more light-hearted and fun,” Shannon said. “And what’s better than a slapstick comedy where people get to fall down and there’s lots of revolving doors, so it’s really funny.”
Junior Aidan Vega is one of the show’s leads, playing Ken Gorman. Although he was initially unfamiliar with “Rumors,” Vega said he enjoyed the play’s concept once he learned more.
“I hadn’t really heard of it at first, but after doing a bit of research, I found it was a really, really funny play,” Vega said. “I thought it was really exciting, because it’s very humorous.”
Behind the scenes, senior Hermela Flowers is one of the play’s co-stage managers. Flowers said much of the production process has involved prop preparation and blocking, which includes stage directions and the details of a scene.
“It’s just making sure all these little steps come together in order to make a show, which, in the end, seems like a really big thing, but as you keep doing the smaller things, it adds up,” Flowers said.
Senior Rohan Shah is the show’s tech lead, managing the sound, designing lights, and pressing cues.
“Most important thing: probably mixing voices lives because that, with everything else you have a lot of, or for like lights, at least, and sound cues, you design everything before the show,” Shah said. “But during the show, it’s when people notice it most, and it’s much easier to mess up in the moment than before.”
However, parts of the production presented challenges. Senior Rowan Kelly, who helped with costume design, said finding costumes for the play was difficult.
“It’s like 80s cocktail party, which is a very niche thing to kind of source costumes for,” Kelly said. “It’s definitely been like an interesting challenge to find costumes that specifically fit that vibe, but it’s a lot of fun to try and figure that out.”
Shannon said one challenge she faced was the heavy workload that comes with directing and overseeing the play.
“Anything that is not written on the page, I have to create, right? And that takes time, takes a lot of time, a lot of thought,” Shannon said. “And then you have to really create a safe space for students to feel comfortable exploring a character or taking risk on stage, and it’s a great challenge for everybody.”
In addition to her workload as director, Shannon said scheduling conflicts among the team were another production challenge.
“Kids are involved in a ton of things, so trying to make sure that I do a rehearsal schedule that is beneficial for me and for the kids in it while being mindful of all of their other activities,” Shannon said.
Shannon said her goal for “Rumors” is for audiences to experience the play’s comedic energy.
“I want people to come see it. I want people to come see it and laugh. I want them to have a night of just pure hysterics,” Shannon said. “That’s the goal, is to get butts and seats so that they enjoy all of the hard work that all of these students have created.”
