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The Voice of Our Town
Tish Driscoll named this year’s narrator |
Maddie Stone
Rhythm Editor
From 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day, English teacher Tish Driscoll is the head of the English department. But at 4:15 p.m. each day, she throws on her sweats and kneepads and becomes a student.
After a nerve-racking audition, Driscoll became the Stage Manager for this spring’s production of Our Town.
Last spring, after deciding to put on Our Town, theatre teachers Cece Prudhomme and David Clayton asked Driscoll if she would be interested in playing the part of the Stage Manager.
“I’ve never been onstage before. I’ve never had any interest in being on stage. It’s outside my comfort zone,” said Driscoll.
Despite her qualms, Driscoll agreed to at least audition for the part.
To prepare for her audition, she memorized the Stage Manager’s opening lines.
“I’ve never auditioned before. I just rehearsed and kept thinking about what I had to do,” said Driscoll.
However, Driscoll got the part, becoming the first teacher to be a part of a Playhouse show in 10 years.
Driscoll first read Our Town as a sophomore in high school, and it immediately struck a chord within her.
“As a sophomore, I focused on the wedding and George and Emily’s romance. But when I read it again in my thirties, I focused on the concept of enjoying life, which is one of the main themes,” said Driscoll.
The play quickly grew to be her favorite, earning her love because of its simplicity.
“Wilder was almost a rebel when he wrote it. It was looked at unusually in the 30’s, but now that it’s 2010, I don’t think it seems so odd,” said Driscoll.
So far, Driscoll has been enjoying the rehearsal process. However, the 11-week commitment has still posed a bit of a challenge.
“To warm up before rehearsal, we do these yoga stretches. It’s hard trying to compete with 17-year-olds. After the first rehearsal I drove out to Academy to get some proper work-out clothes,” said Driscoll.
Despite the fact that she’s all grown up, Driscoll’s parents are still eager to see their daughter take on one of the main roles in Our Town and will be coming to see her perform. At first, though, they were a bit skeptical of the role she was playing.
“I had to explain to my dad that the Stage Manager is an omniscient presence. I told him that the Stage Manager is godlike, and he said, ‘Oh my God, you’ll be struck by lightning,’” said Driscoll.
Teaching the Our Town unit in sophomore English this year will be a unique experience, since she will simultaneously teach the play and perform it.
“It’s a serious play; an allegory of life. I want my students to understand it,” said Driscoll.
In addition to teaching, Driscoll helps with the Tim Driscoll Scholarship Fund, which grants scholarships to theatre arts students for things such as voice and dance lessons and summer camps.
“I help put out information about it, collect applications, and make selections. I’m basically the bookkeeper,” said Driscoll.
Despite her initial apprehension about the role, she’s grateful for the opportunity.
“I am honoured to be asked to do this,” said Driscoll.
The show opens on Thurs. April 22 at 7:30 p.m., and has showings April 23, 24, 30, and May 1.
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