Cedars, February 2018

February 2018 11 ART & ENTERTAINMENT However, these challenges are well worth it, Priebe said. “I think it’s been rewarding to see all the designs come together because we have made so many of the pieces rather than just going out and purchasing or renting,” she said. A majority of the costumes featured in the show were created by the costume shop, based on designs created by Priebe. From wolf claws made out of tin foil and masking tape, to human-sized beaver tails, the cos- tumes are products of an immense amount of hard work. While the costumes are impressive, they don’t mean much if there’s nobody to fill them. This past October, the theater depart- ment held auditions for “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Over 60 students from different majors and varying levels of expe- rience arrived at Alford Auditorium looking forward to the possibility of a callback. The audition experience is often a daunting one. For this show in particular, the production team, including stage man- ager Brie Bauman, were looking for actors they knew would be dedicated to their roles. “In the casting process we were very fo- cused on determining someone’s character and how comfortable they were with being all-in for a production like this,” Bauman said. “A lot of magic needs to be created through the actors. A lot of that dedication and joy with the story is something that the director looked for.” At callbacks, each person read from selected excerpts from the script. Some students were put into groups and asked to come up with an impromptu, choreo- graphed lion movement. After a few hours, everyone was sent home to spend the night in anticipation as the wait began for the cast list that would be posted the next day. The day the cast list was announced was the same day of the first rehearsal. The first rehearsal is typically a readthrough of the script, while the remaining rehearsals cover blocking and workshopping scenes. All of the rehearsals lead up to a faculty preview, where the show is put on in its cur- rent state. After the preview, the theater fac- ulty decide whether the production is ready to be put on the main stage. Following faculty preview is show week. During this time, dress rehearsals begin, and all elements including costume, sound, lighting and all other technical as- pect are incorporated. “The most difficult part has really been bringing all of the tech things together that have very much been new for our program,” Bauman said. “Things that we haven’t tried before, and just working with those and being creative and having those be imple- mented in different ways each night.” The technical elements of the show are helped by the fact that Lewis’ story comes to life all on its own. The production team be- hind the show wants to be sure that the mes- sage of the show is spoken loud and clear. “Overall, the message is very much what Lewis intended I believe, which is first to tell a good story but then of course to have that story be used to instruct young people — especially on what redemption and grace are,” Bauman said. The story has stood the test of time since its original release in October of 1950. Many children grew up on “The Chronicles of Nar- nia,” including Jeremy Smith, the dramaturg for Cedarville’s production of the play. The dramaturg does research about the show in order to give the cast and audiences a deeper look into the history behind the story. The director’s concept for the show is fu- eled by the idea that C.S. Lewis wrote each of the Narnia books as a representation of each of the seven planets in medieval cosmology. “The Lion, the Witch and the Ward- robe” is said to have been based off the plan- et Jupiter, or Jove. Jupiter represents joy, especially for the end of winter and the beginning of spring. This joy was the central metaphor behind the show. “That’s the theme of this return of the king, this overarching joviality and happi- ness and joy that comes along with winter ending and the king returning,” Smith said. “It’s why I think that the first book in partic- ular resonates with so many people.” This story carries a message of redemp- tion and sacrifice that is known for being symbolic of Jesus Christ’s saving work on the cross. However, this story is much more than a series of Christian motifs. This story is a lesson in creativity and love that is made available to people of all ages. The Cedarville production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” dedicated countless hours of rehearsal, set building and costume creating, in order to take this story of grace, and truly bring it to life. The process was a unique one, since this show contained so many new and exciting technical elements. Putting on a show is never easy, and it’s a lot of hard work. However, Cedarville’s the- atre programunderstands that nomatter how difficult the process may be, ultimately the most important thing is telling a good story. Nathan Robertson is a junior broad- casting and digital media major and a writer for Cedars. He is an avid filmwatch- er, an open-minded music lover, and a de- voted Netflix binger. Online • M.B.A. • M.S.N. • M.Min. Residential • M.Div. • M.Min. • Pharm.D. Ready to take the next step? Start nowwith dual-listed courses, and you’ll save time and money. Access the free, fast-track application just for Cedarville students: cedarville.edu/gradapply