Here’s a question: have you ever been to a play? Maybe you have, or maybe it never even crossed your mind, but do not let Soundscapes out of your grasp. Soundscapes is the upcoming spring play in the middle school, and since it is a play, that means there is no dancing and nor singing. Yes, that is right, no singing or dancing — but that does not guarantee a boring show. In fact, it can even be entertaining and unique. The play is free, so you can come in when Soundscapes is showing without paying or putting a seat on reservation.
“Why I chose Soundscapes has a couple of reasons. One, for a play that has an ensemble and casts as many people as possible,” Ms. Katie Speed, a drama teacher, said. “But why Soundscapes, in particular? Soundscapes features a neurodivergent protagonist called Iris. Iris is experiencing the world and learning a little differently from her peers.”
Speed is the only drama teacher who is directing Soundscapes, which is different from the previous musicals The Drowsy Chaperone Jr. and Shrek Jr., which both Speed and Ms. Leah Fine, another drama teacher, worked on.
As Speed works on the directing and producing, students are running parts of the show as well. Jeremy Silver ’29 is the stage manager, Victoria Belmonte ’29 is the assistant director, and Signe Sofia Neergard Colon ’29 is the costume designer.
One of the crowns that is on Soundscapes. The set for the play includes accessories like these, as well as other props like sketchbooks and a radio. Photo by Sophia Sid.
“I just spent quite a long time over April vacation editing all the productions for the show, so that was new for me,” said Speed. “It’s a challenge in the sense that you’re trying to bring to life an experience that only happens in somebody’s mind. But also, one of the things that is both great and difficult with acting is that when your characters are going through something emotionally challenging, maybe it can bring up emotions for you.”
The play is performed by the Holst cast and the Mozart cast on separate days. These are named after the musical composers Gustav Holst and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who are mentioned frequently throughout the show.
“Whether we can relate to Iris’s experiences, it’s really important and valuable to have a neurodivergent’s story to be told,” Speed said. “Both casts are working really really hard and they are doing such an awesome job. And I hope that everyone can come see it.”
So don’t miss out on Soundscapes, it’s a rare treat to get to see such a high quality play that you will definitely enjoy!
