WOODBURY — A lot of work goes into preparing a show or musical for an audience. From set design to practicing lines to organizing meetings, it takes a lot of effort. But what exactly goes on behind the scenes? How much work does it really require to create a show? On April 4 and 5, Woodbury Middle School’s Drama Club showed just the amount of preparation and hard work required to perform a musical.

For the show to perform well, students must be prepared for their parts. They must memorize lines, learn to sing their songs, and be ready for any choreography. 

A lot of preparation takes place during the Drama Club rehearsals. Drama Club advisor Jamie Odell talks about how detailed rehearsals will get.

“There is some liberty that the students have with how things are going to work, but now we’re getting down to, hey this is how this scene is going to work, you’re going to come in at this entrance, kinda like in orchestra, where you rest for one beat, you better come in at beat two, that’s how intricate we’re getting right now,” Odell said.

While a lot of detailed work goes into Drama Club in school, there is an immense amount of preparation outside of school as well. WMS student Sadie Pustola, who played Moana in the musical, showed how much work is put in to prepare.

“I have acting lessons, vocal lessons, and of course, I just practice anyway,” Pustola said.  

This amount of effort isn’t just shown in the main roles. Teachers also have to put in a lot of work. 

Odell works so hard she said, that “if I’m not with my family, I’m getting ready for the play.”

While this volume of work may be a lot, it does provide many students much needed character traits. 

Backstage crew member Adrienne Coelho pointed out one of these important characteristics: “[Drama Club] builds responsibility because you need to know your lines, you have to know what you have to do, and be prepared.”

While it may take a lot of effort, it is one worthwhile experience. But most importantly, just as Coelho says, Drama Club “helps to find your people and find yourself.”