When the Montezuma-Cortez High School Theatre Department performed “Rabbit Hole” six times in the last two weeks however, local theatregoers were treated to a vastly different, yet equally impactful, experience.
A tragic plot
Set in Larchmont, N.Y. and taking place in the modern day, “Rabbit Hole’s” plot chronicled the experiences of five individuals who found were grieving following the accidental death of a four-year-old boy.
Struggling to overcome their loss, each of the characters attempted to return to normal life, yet constant reminders of the boy’s presence kept them from doing so.
By the end of the two-hour production, it became clear that although the characters would never be what they were prior to their loss, their grief might one day subside. In other words, there appeared to be hope amidst the tragedy.
“Grief never goes away, but it changes,” said M-CHS senior Madison Nielson, who played the boy’s grandmother, Izzy. “It becomes something that you can carry around in your pocket and sometimes forget, but it’s always there.”
Subtle nuances stand out
To bring “Rabbit Hole’s” complex themes to life, actors and actresses utilized subtle body language and a a variety of other non-verbal cues to convey emotions that reached beyond verbal description.
Costume directors Kourtney Partington and Jolie Soukup outfitted characters in costumes evolved along with the characters and stage manager Anakay Hanold’s ability to position actors in natural settings lent to the overall experience.
“We changed the costumes and hairstyles throughout the play,” said Kyle Miller, who played Jason, an 18-year-old boy involved in the accident. “As the characters started to loosen up, so did their costumes and hair.”
Also lending to the overall experience was a variety of haunting, yet beautiful music that was played between each scene. Bailey Ford and Enrique Zepeda were in charge of sound.
Audience members impressed
Following the conclusion of the two-hour production, audience members meandered near the M-CHS theatre and voiced their approval.
Meanwhile, actors and actresses spoke of the value of the production, which, although challenging, proved to be a valuable experience.
“It was really nice to have a small and experienced cast,” said Nielson. “It was a different experience from huge plays. We had a more community feel.”
“Rabbit Hole” was unique and every character grew,” said Amy Campbell. “Being part of this has been a valuable experience.”