Sold out crowds were set to figure out who done it during the dinner theater performance of “Clue High School Edition” by the Aubrey High School Theatre program.
The cast and crew will bring the board game and cult classic film to life in a theater-in-the-round setting. "This is my first theater-in-the-round," Director Emily Rome said. "... This is very challenging."
That includes using new terms for blocking as well as finding places for people to tuck in so they are out of sight when they need to be.
"We're learned a lot this show," Rome said. "We'll definitely use it again."
The on-stage talent is a mixture of familiar faces and new, young talent, and the same is true for the tech staff.
There are around 41 people involved.
"We have a lot of new kids this year that are really stepping out of their comfort zone and just wanting to be a part of something," Rome said. "... 'Clue' is special, so it's been a lot of fun."
The challenge of putting on a play in the round also gives the tech members behind the scenes a chance to have their skills shine.
"They're learning so many skills that are going to be valuable to them in the real world, but it's rewarding to me as a teacher just to see it happen," Rome said.
Sophea Castellanos, the freshman who plays Wadsworth, said she is thrilled for her opportunity to play such a crucial role in her first play at Aubrey High School.
"It doesn't matter what grade you are [in], it just matters how much work you put into it and how much you want to be there," she said.
Although it is her first play for Aubrey High School, it is not her first production, with one of her favorite previous roles being the mayor in “Seussical Junior” in the combined production by Owens and McNabb Middle schools in the spring.
The connection the students have is one of Castellanos' favorite aspects of being part of "Clue," she said, mentioning that the kids like to scare each other when they're not on stage.
She's also excited for the theater-in-the-round setting. "It just makes it feel so much more alive," Castellanos said.
Senior Ryleigh Barbaria spoke of her gratitude for being involved with the theater program for the last four years.
Barbaria, who will manage the waitstaff for the production, said the program helped her realize what she wants as a career.
"I'm hoping to work as a tech theater teacher, so I can do this for my whole life, because I love doing this already and it makes me feel so happy to see people's faces light up," she said.
For now, she's using her time on the waitstaff to build life skills in addition to having helped build the set.
"It's great customer service [experience], and it helps me build that for a future job, and it helps me build up my confidence to talk to people," Barbaria said.
Similarly, sophomore tech Harley Aguilar, who is working lights for the show, spoke about the opportunity he has to step out of himself and embrace new skills through theater.
"Everybody's super nice and talkative," he said. "It's like a little community—like a little family."
He said he's excited to have such an important part in setting the scenes for "Clue."
"I'm still learning a bunch of new stuff and it's just quite the experience," he said.
