As the curtains are drawn, whispers of suspense echo through the White Station High School auditorium. A mysterious aura possesses the Spartan actors as they prepare to unveil their production, “CLUE.” Behind these closed curtains lies a labyrinth of anticipation, dedication and secrets waiting to be revealed. The stage is set, the actors composed, but it is the electrifying buzz of anticipation that steals the spotlight, promising a journey into the heart of mystery and theatrical performance.
“After last year with the turnout for Grease [and] since people know the [CLUE] game, [I knew we would] get a high turnout,” Sarah Cameron (12) said.
What begins as a seemingly harmless dinner invitation quickly develops into a night of unforeseen twists and turns. As each guest arrives, unaware of the impending chaos, little did they know they were stepping into a game of deduction where alliances shift, suspicions surge and dark intentions are masked.
“My character uses [the dinner invite] as a [chance] to get drinks and meet new people and very pretty women,” Hallie Boland (12) said. “And then there’s [this] murder and he’s like, ‘Oh … oh this is bad.’”
Amidst the suspenseful atmosphere, behind the scenes, a two-month period of dedication unfolds, as the crew had been crafting and painting, turning raw materials into a stage for their production to flourish. From constructing walls and stairs to painting every detail, the crew transformed into a workshop as they poured their heart and soul into bringing the world of “CLUE” to life.
“My grandpa actually came to help us,” Cameron said. “We’ve also been putting up posters in the community … in the school and decorating the signs and stuff in the lobby. We’ve had to talk to administrators and just get everything ready. It’s been a really intense process.”
While the actors learned their markings and embodied their characters, on stage stood a new play director. Camryn Pitts serves as the new theater teacher and director of “CLUE.” With a mystery itching to be solved and the inclusion of a new director, the crew, cast and community held onto high hopes and expectations for this production.
“I think it’s gonna be really good,” Pitts said. “The kids have worked so hard in rehearsals and outside of school, just on putting the show up, that I think no matter what happens, it’s something the kids can be proud of and we’ve all had a good time doing.”
As the actors rehearsed the lines of their characters, each word carried the weight of igniting a spark of intrigue among the audience. The dialogues and personas promised not just a play, but an immersive experience, inviting the audience into an interactive world where every gasp and whisper would become part of the unfolding drama.
“I want to make my audience smile,” Boland said. “Like really. That’s my favorite thing about my character, is that I’m not a very serious character. I just want to make them laugh.”
For the seniors in the cast, “CLUE” represents their final bow in a high school non-musical production, adding a more personal layer to their performances. As rehearsals reach their end, emotions run high intertwining with the thrill of the suspense, marking this performance as a milestone in their high school theatrical journey.
“It’s been so fun every time I’ve gotten up on the stage, especially now,” Cameron said. “It just feels so great to be doing it with this group of people and there’s so much support and love. It’s really just so meaningful to me to see everyone care about what they’re doing. I’ve been a self-proclaimed theater kid since like the 1st grade; I think it really has shaped a lot of my identity, but it
’s also helped me become a more confident person … how I present myself and how I act around other people. I can’t go into a room and be asked ‘what are you into’ and go without mentioning it.”
“CLUE” goes beyond the scripted lines and staged acts; it embodies the conjunction of the crews’ diverse talents, united with their passion to craft a new theatrical experience. As the curtains prepare to rise, it is not just a play, but a testimony to their collaboration and spirit that breathes life into the art of storytelling.
“I think my favorite moment so far with this group of kids and the cast, there’s a moment at the end of the show … there’s a line ‘LARRY’ [that] is yelled very loudly multiple times,” Pitts said. “I don’t think we’ve gotten through that scene without laughing. And it’s just one of those beautiful organic moments where an actor had an idea that I was like go for it, let’s try it … This cast has been amazing about that, trying to like bring their own thoughts and ideas into this. It’s been fun to watch.”
