By: Emma Wood & Isabelle Goodnite
Let’s all be serious here: who would want to go to a romantic comedic play written in the late 1700s? Absolutely nobody, or maybe a few stragglers here and there. But before you roll your eyes and quit reading this article, I want you to ask a question: why is Southeast putting on this production of Pride and Prejudice, and why should you come?
This year Southeast will be putting on a production of Pride and Prejudice starring Emma Wood as the prideful and snarky Elizabeth Bennet, and Jason Benecke as the brooding and elusive Mr. Darcy. They are the two lead romantic partners. Whether it is co-director and crew advisor April Markov or music teacher and director Ashley Oakley, choreographer Emma Wood, or costume designer Anne Carpenter, they have all poured hours of effort into bringing this classic to life.
But why Pride and Prejudice? Jane Austen’s timeless tale explores the complicated dance between all the characters, making every scene glide across the stage, every glance carrying hidden meaning, and every heartbeat creating their own complicated rhythm. Expect more than just an enemies-to-lovers story, expect drama, elegance, laughter, tears, a few spicier scenes where longing glances or scornful glares are given, and expect scandal, like a younger sister being practically kidnapped by a charming man… or expect an absolute creep coming to steal the family’s house and marry their daughter. Expect duels of wit, rejected proposals, wild dances, and so, so, so much more. But beneath all of the plot, there is more. It shows the experience of human kind; it teaches the audience and the actors about themselves. This play is like the drama we face every day, just with better costumes.
On the topic of costumes, Carpenter has done an amazing job of creating empire waist gowns and tailored suits. It’s all handmade, with beautiful makeup and elaborate hairstyles. Intensity and passion is sewn into every stitch. Truly, it will be something amazing to see.
It’s not just the directors and Carpenter who are excited, our entire cast is just as crazy about the upcoming production. Isabella Klemm, a student here at Southeast High School, is cast as Jane Bennet in the upcoming production. Klemm stated during the interview that she connects most with her role as Jane Bennet and how “calm yet soft” her character really is. Klemm shared that she enjoys this connection with her character as it is different from how she is normally portrayed in her character roles from previous plays. “What I love most about my cast members is the sense of friendship and connection we all have due to all being intertwined in the music programs that we’re involved in”, Klemm stated. This connection displayed through the cast members shows the family-like atmosphere the drama club has here at Southeast High School. Klemm even shared that she enjoys seeing her co-actors develop into their characters and excelling in what they do. Based on Klemm’s interview, it is inevitable that the drama club will be putting on an exceptional performance and the cast will carry their connection with each other throughout the play.
The curtain rises on November 21st and 22nd at 7:00 PM in the Southeast High School Auditorium. Come for the romance, come for the drama, come for the kiss even, and leave realising why Pride and Prejudice has captivated so many audiences for over two centuries.
Because let’s be honest, the best stories never go out of style.
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