Spring brings with it one of Danbury High School’s traditions- the play. This year the DHS music department is putting on Hairspray in April.
Hairspray takes place in the 1960s featuring Tracy Turnblad, a teen girl who does not “fit in” to society and chooses to push societal boundaries for people of all body sizes and teaches teens that they do not always have to fit a certain image.
This play is a crowd favorite because it uses comedy and relatable scenarios to connect with young viewers. This year’s producers are Joseph Alfano, Angelica Figueroa, and director Dan Sclafani.
Before getting into the production process, the casting has to be selected. First, anyone interested in auditioning goes in for a general audition where the producers and director consider all auditees and “weed out” those who do not have the right vocals or personalities for this specific show. They then use “callbacks” to narrow down the best picks for each role, allowing them to get to know the student’s personality and decide which role “the student is best [fit] for even if it is not the one they auditioned for,” said Alfano in an interview. This is the last audition process before the cast list is released. These auditionees are some of the best of the best, including DHS senior Marley Minchala.
Minchala first got into theater in the sixth grade and said her favorite part of the whole process is “getting to know the cast,” since everyone comes
together as a “family.” In fact, Hairspray Jr. is what originally got her into acting after seeing it at the local Broadview Middle School, and now Hairspray is going to be her last play here at DHS. Minchala called this a “full circle moment” that she never thought she would experience.
The play is now in preparation for the Spring show. Scalfani, Alfano, and Figueroa invite everyone from the community to come out and support students and staff. It is also a great opportunity for DHS students to get a taste of the theater atmosphere. Wishing the best of luck to all of the production this year!
