Photo Exclusive: From First Rehearsal to Final Bow, See How the Talented Teens of Beacon School Took on Caroline, or Change | Playbill

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Photo Exclusive: From First Rehearsal to Final Bow, See How the Talented Teens of Beacon School Took on Caroline, or Change

Marla Louissaint performs “I Got Four Kids”

Photo Exclusive: From First Rehearsal to Final Bow, See How the Talented Teens of Beacon School Took on Caroline, or Change

The Beacon School on the Upper West Side recently presented the NYC high school premiere of Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner's Tony-nominated masterpiece Caroline, or Change. Leading lady Marla Louissaint and head of sound/"Crew Dad" Rob Silverman-Ascher documented this monumental undertaking for Playbill.com. See what happens when a group of incredible students goes 16 feet beneath the sea!
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Marla Louissaint performs “I Got Four Kids”
Hi! My name is Marla and I was really pumped to get my libretto!
I’m Rob.
This is the journey of our production of <i>Caroline, or Change.</i>
We are both seniors at The Beacon School
Here is our first Drama Department meeting in September, when <i>Caroline, or Change</i> was announced.
Rob is the Head of Sound.
Marla is playing Caroline.
It all started with a photo shoot with Beacon alumna Alexandra Campos
And then lots and LOTS of music rehearsal.
With our lovely Musical Director, and genius, Lilli Wosk.
And the fabulous Stage Director, Jo Ann Cimato. (Don’t mention how much shorter she is than Marla. She knows.)
This Dramaturgy in full swing. Featuring Marla’s Vaseline.
Lots of preliminary set designs were needed to make this show fit into our small black box.
It’s all smiles in music rehearsal in the cafeteria.
The foxy radio choreography started out in a math classroom.
The weather was a huge part of our rehearsal process. Sweatshirts, hats, scarves and Lilli’s fingerless gloves.
Marla, afraid of catching the plague, came to school like this on a snowy 5 degree day.
A snow day? Whatever. Radio rehearsal via Skype! The blue and white head is Nicole.
We finally found our Noah, Dylan! And we have matching snow boots.
He also matches Leo’s concentration face.
Here’s Stella, our stellar AD, and Natasha, Captain Marketing, at the production table.
Our cast is finally complete. Our stage manager, Sophia, says it’s a go!
We start with awesome costume fittings featuring Michaella’s Timbs (Those are her boots).
This is halfway through sequin dress fittings - there were 15 dresses total by the way. Oy!
The scenic build begins! Here’s our climbable washer and dryer cut and built by Addy, Jack, and Elena.
Lucy measuring with her whole person, seriously every square inch.
We have a moon on the floor, painted by Gavin and Tony.
Raising the roof, quite literally.
Making that radio curtain for the infamous drop.
Sometimes gaff tape holds an ice pack in place when you get hurt, but you know, Elena can take it.
Gavin really wanted to be in this shot with the bus.
Almost as much as I wanted to be in this shot with Tonya Pinkins!
Strategizing the 58, yes, 58 costume changes.
RUDY! Thanks for saving our bus/dryer! He’s a Beacon alumna and young professional actor who stepped in TWO DAYS before tech.
First day of tech! A view from the band.
Applying that yummy stage makeup! Total sarcasm.
Much to Jo’s chagrin, the theatre office is closest thing to a dressing that we’ve got. But we make it work!
Sound team is just about ready to steal those precious baby hairs on the back of our necks with medical tape. WOO!
Mic storage, hung and ready to go!
Who’s ready to bury a mic in your fro? These guys are!
Stella starts sculpting Grandma Gellman’s crown.
And I am parting Ana’s hair like a boss.
Tech is time for the finishing touches! Like adding Addy as Betty in the Gellman’s stairwell.
Dylan getting some last minute coaching from his coach Cameron.
And the boys get some quality time with Brandon.
Kenny, our AMD, as Rose Gellman!
Michaella cuddling with MLK.
And FINALLY our audience arrives. This is real.
The tech team settles as the actors warm up by the piano with Lilli.
Warm up looks like this!
Marla Louissaint performs “I Got Four Kids”
Sarah Kristen’s Radio Face
Dylan Fineman, as Noah. Our Super Boy.
“Gonna Pass Me A Law”
Leslie’s heartbreaking, Rose. “Jesus lady! Smile already!”
“Roosevelt Petrucius Coleslaw”
“I Hate the Bus”
“Lot’s Wife” from the soundboard.
“Salty Tear Drops” in some crazy radio dresses extended by Leigh Wallace.
Willa Grace is the moon.
Backstage water arsenal. Desperate times.
Oh, wait. Jeanine Tesori came to see our play and thought we were crazy amazing.
Then she totally bowed and thanked Marla for her performance and both Lilli and Jo cried. But then Lilli snapped this picture!
This is our OMG face!
Then Sunday came and I found my self sixteen feet below my sheets. (Thank you Rob for that punchline.)
Until it was time to do some laundry, clean the make up off my costume and start again.
Time to regroup. Reboot. And continue our run. (What is Leslie doing with the bleach jug?)
Two-show day? Let’s do some yoga.
And eat some food! (Thank you Beacon Dance Makers for the snacks!)
Sometimes we nap.
Or snuggle our Besties.
Until it’s time to open the Box Office.
Wait? What? The box office is EMPTY?
Well then we better get ourselves together for another sold out show!
Sometimes Photo booth is the best a girl can do in these parts! #makeitwork
“Smoke rings! Blow me smoke rings!”
Trust and Mikki take a spin.
Thibodeaux family dance party.
These are the swings that were rigged for the little people. Marla and Rob are sad that they’re not allowed to play on them.
Christmas Radio shine, also one of my favorite pictures of Caroline.
“Lot’s Wife”
“Lot’s Wife” again. Because really it’s like two totally different and beautiful songs.
I slap my best friend across the face during every show (not hard, I promise) but Ana’s reaction is really the best part.
Take a look at this precious face, this is Nicole. Our super Freshman. We’re pretty cool with leaving B’DAT in her capable hands.
Saying farewell to Caroline is going to be rough. But we don’t talk about the dark times.
So, thanks for checking us out! Bye!

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