Trafford Middle School student Asher Stowell will have the best seat in the house for the school’s upcoming musical.
Perched atop a wooden set painted to look like a tree, Stowell surveyed his castmates recently as they rehearsed acrobatic moves and shifted brightly-colored props across the middle school’s auditorium stage.
“It’s really fun to have a great view of the auditorium,” said Stowell, a 7th grade student who will portray an elephant named Horton in the school’s production of “Seussical Jr” March 28 to 30.
The show tells the story of Horton’s discovery of Whoville — a world of people called Whos contained in a speck of dust — and his subsequent efforts to protect it from harm. It is based on children’s books written by Theodor Seuss Geisel, colloquially known as Dr. Seuss.
Director Janice Ruoff selected the show for its positive message of acceptance despite differences.
“I feel very strongly about doing shows that are going to be uplifting and send a message of how things should be,” said Ruoff, who has served as director for 13 years. “There are a lot of shows I won’t do, because I don’t think that middle schoolers should be sending those kinds of messages.
“I want their lives to be enhanced by their experience, not just the fact that they stood in front of people and got applause for something.”
The show places a greater emphasis on dance and acrobatic movements — like cartwheels, backbends and splits — than is typical for the drama guild. But the actors have risen to the occasion, Ruoff said.
“I don’t normally put a whole lot of acrobatics in,” she said, “but we have some talented kids that can do a little more.”
“And it’s pretty cool to see them doing handstands or getting on top of somebody’s shoulders,” she said. “It adds another element to the show that oftentimes doesn’t happen, especially at this age level.”
Adapting to a multi-layered character has been the greatest challenge for 8th grade student Arabella Tirpak, who will portray Cat in the Hat.
“I interact with all the characters,” said Tirpak, who has performed in theater since she was 8 years old.
“I go through about four costume changes — I’m a doctor, a circus performer,” she said. “I play with Mayzie and I’m a person at an auction, and I also do the lawyer (part) at the end.”
Stowell is tasked with portraying Horton’s emotions to the audience.
“Horton is in this deep state of sadness and depression toward the middle of the musical,” he said, “and I’m not used to playing sad characters in musicals. I’m used to playing fun characters like Nemo and Cat in the Hat.”
In Ruoff’s experience, repetition of lines and stage movements is the biggest focus for middle school performers. But this spring, she has seen more students than usual practice their parts outside of rehearsal.
“They come prepared for the next rehearsal,” she said. “It’s unusual for people not to remember what they learned before, so that’s very helpful.”
Ruoff hopes audiences connect with the show’s message.
“I’m hoping that they leave with a really joyful feeling in their hearts,” she said, “that this is really possible — for people and creatures to get along.”
