A murder mystery that mixes suspense with sidesplitting humor will hit the stage as Hartland Drama Club presents “Deadline,” Friday through Sunday, Nov. 8-10, at Hartland High School (HHS), 10635 Dunham Road in Hartland. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Written by author and playwright Don Zolidis, “Deadline” transports audiences to a legendary writer’s fog-shrouded island mansion in the North Atlantic. When eight mystery writers arrive, they think they’re ready for the Deadline Challenge — 24 restful hours to write as much of their new novel as possible. But the Deadline Challenge is anything but restful.
In reality, the writers are brought together to solve a murder — the victim yet be determined, and the killer yet to strike. If a writer can design and execute a perfect murder and get away with it, they’ll win a million dollars (which is a lot of money for a writer). Who will live? Who will die? Who will survive the Deadline?
The nearly 70 talented HHS students comprising the cast and crew of “Deadline” have worked tirelessly, both on stage and behind the scenes, to bring another excellent theatrical production to the community.
According to artistic director Scott Usher, “Deadline” will keep audiences guessing and laughing.
“I love a murder mystery comedy and ‘Deadline’ is a very funny one,” he says. “In this story, the students have the chance to portray some really zany characters, all the while delivering witty dialogue and having the opportunity to exhibit physical comedy that has me laughing all the way through our rehearsals. I can’t wait to hear our audiences laugh out loud as these wonderful student actors tell this hysterical comedy.”
HHS senior and student producer Alayna Miller, who plays the role of Penelope Bain, agrees. “I was ecstatic to hear that Hartland Drama Club was going to do a murder mystery comedy this year!” she says. “This show means so much to me because my freshman year was also a murder mystery. Everyone in the cast and crew have worked so hard on this show and are very dedicated to the club, just like our writers in ‘Deadline’ are dedicated to win the book deal. But which writer is the most dedicated? Come see our show to find out who is determined enough to win that they will kill.”
“Deadline” is the play that will keep you in stitches — and on the edge of your seat!
Tickets are available online at www.hartlanddramaclub.org and at the door. Individual tickets purchased in advance are $13 for adults and $11 for students, children and seniors. Tickets purchased at the door are $15 for adults and $13 for students, children and seniors. Group rates are also available.
For more information, contact Scott Usher at (810) 626-2360 or via e-mail at scottusher@hartlandschools.us.
“Deadline” cast includes main actor and understudy: Felix Sleeman and Brayden Eaton as Dellacroix; Kate McMahon and Isabella Gembel as Bella; Megan Patrick and Grace Pantelas as Meyers; Grace Turner and Hannah Morgan as Morris; Mara Laibly and Lucy Egenolf as Norris; Alayna Miller (student producer) and Samantha Landacre as Penelope Bain; Ruby Landacre and Taylor Hernandez as Deborah Haskins; Logan Clark and Jackson Albers as Gregory Haskins; Skye Schlueter and Gianni Russo as Carswell Chalmers; Saige Ellis and Amelia Salinas as Vampetta; Maya Griffon and Quinn Dunny as Brenda; Ethan Stang and Anthony Liloia as Zak; and Paige Reck (student director) and Olivia Kolke as Jennifer Milam. The pre-show cast includes: Addison Bernardin; Tiffany Casto; Taylor Christian; Aubrey Clark; Mykah Cruz; Esperanza Garza; Vinnie Meckes; and Kat Palmer.
We talked with some of the students involved in the production below:
Alayna Miller as Penelope Bain
Parents: Carrie Magee and Chris Miller
Grade: Senior
Activities: Theater
Hobbies: Acting
Future Plans: Going into social work/being a therapist.
What can audiences expect when they come to see “Deadline”?
Audience members can expect to have a good laugh when watching this play. This play has a lot of comedy, but also will leave you thinking throughout the show about who the murderer may be.
What is unique/special about Hartland Drama Club’s production of “Deadline”?
Something I find very unique about our production of “Deadline” is the amount of young talented actors we have. For the past few productions, we did not have lots of freshman in our club. This year we have so many new, very talented young actors that have joined us.
What is something this show has taught you about your craft and yourself?
My character for this show is very different than almost all of the previous characters I have been cast as before. While performing this show, it showed me the potential I have and that if I work on something hard enough, I will be able to achieve it.
If you were to describe your character in three words, what would they be?
Underestimated, positive, and eager.
Which modern-day celebrity would you choose to play your character?
Reese Witherspoon.
What will you miss most about Hartland Drama Club after graduation, and what lessons will you take with you?
The thing I will miss most about Hartland Drama Club is the people. Everyone is so welcoming and makes me feel at home. I feel complete with myself around them. When graduating the main thing I will take away is how to care for others, just like how everyone in the drama club cared for me.
Saige Ellis as Vampetta
Parent: Tracy Ellis
Grade: Senior
Activities: Choir
Hobbies: Reading, playing guitar, listening to music
Future Plans: Go to college and become a choir director/forensic scientist
What can audiences expect when they come to see “Deadline”?
Expect the unexpected.
How would your character compare to yourself? Would you and your character be friends?
Vampetta is unlike me in every single way. She’s bold, confident, self-assured, egotistical, and cunning. She isn’t afraid of taking up space. She thrives in the center of attention. But that is the joy of acting. There is nothing more fun and thrilling than being in the mind of somebody else for a time. That being said, she and I would not get along. She is competitive; she does not get along with her competitors. People with a frightening abundance of confidence are intimidating to me.
If your character had a theme song, what would it be and why?
“Vampires Will Never Hurt You” by My Chemical Romance. I feel that this song accurately represents Vampetta, not only because of her namesake, but also because of its gothic and dark feel. The lyrics tell a story of a forbidden romance between a vampire and a woman, which is right up Vampetta’s ally.
What has your experience been like working on a crew for this show?
Being on props crew for this show has been an absolute blast and I am frankly disappointed that I didn’t join sooner. Creating props for the set and doing hands-on work is fun. I love the process of brainstorming ideas for things that the characters onstage can interact with, bringing each scene to life. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it, and I encourage any underclassmen to join a crew!
What is your dream role and/or your dream job in the theater world?
There is so much more to the theater world than the characters being portrayed on the stage. I would be honored to continue making props for other future productions. My dream onstage role, however, is Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” “Sweeney Todd” is my favorite musical of all time, from its ensemble to its quirky characters. I adore Mrs. Lovett just as much as I love the songs she sings, such as “The Worst Pies in London” and “My Friends.”
What will you miss most about Hartland Drama Club after graduation, and what lessons will you take with you?
One thing I will miss most about being in Hartland Drama Club is the community. The shared love and passion for the arts and performing is a feeling that is unlike anything I have ever experienced and one I will forever cherish. I have created deep bonds with many of the members of the club; bonds I would have never had the opportunity of growing had I not joined the club. Performing onstage with these people and telling so many stories is something intimate and so special.
The Hartland High School Auditorium has become my home away from home. I do not know whether I will continue pursuing theater after I graduate. As a result, I have been savoring every moment of these last few shows and relishing the feeling of performing on that stage.
Troupe 4213 has taught me a lot over the past few years. But one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that being afraid of what people think is a waste of time. That putting yourself out there is a necessary and worthwhile risk. That everyone has potential, even if they themselves do not see it.
Maya Griffon as Brenda
Parent(s): Chrissy and Eric Griffon
Grade: Junior
Activities: Drama, Choir
Hobbies: Singing, playing guitar
Future Plans: Go to music school
What can audiences expect when they come to see “Deadline”?
Audiences can expect to laugh out loud and fall in love with these characters! They are all so different, with different senses of humor and backstories that are sure to intrigue an audience.
What is unique/special about Hartland Drama Club’s production of “Deadline”?
I think it is so unique to have two different casts (mains and understudies), and it was so fun to work with them! We all worked off each other and have similarities and differences as to how we play our characters.
Which modern-day celebrity would you choose to play your character?
I would choose Zendaya to play my character because I feel like she pulls off mysterious characters with very complex personalities well. She could play any character given to her!
How would your character compare to yourself? Would you and your character be friends?
My character’s personality is similar to mine. She has very complex emotions and she tries to control everything in the room around her. When someone doesn’t know what they are doing, she is annoyed, but weirdly entertained by their stupidity.
If your character had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Brenda’s theme song would be “Control” by Halsey, because she is always trying to control everything around her, even when the challenge of murder for the writers goes too far.
What are some of the challenges of preparing for a comedic role?
One challenge of preparing for a comedic role was my role in general, as she is supposed to be mysterious and not tell much about her to the other writers in the challenge. It is hard to bring comedy without giving too much personality and backstory that would give away the mystery of my character.
Mara Laibly as Norris
Parent(s): Allison and Brad Laibly
Grade: Sophomore
Activities: Drama, Marching Band, Choir, Science Olympiad
Hobbies: Drawing, video games
Future Plans: College
What can audiences expect when they come to see “Deadline”?
When people come to see Hartland Drama Club’s production of “Deadline,” they can expect to watch an over-the-top comedy that immerses viewers in the story, following a ragtag group of writers. They will see the wide range of personalities across the characters and the unique perspectives of our performers on their roles.
If you were to describe your character in three words, what would they be?
If I were to describe Norris in three words, I would use lazy, aggravated, and discontent. Throughout the story, Norris plays a static character that would rather be anywhere but at work.
What is something this show has taught you about your craft and yourself?
This show has taught me to go outside of my comfort zone and try new things when acting. Over the past weeks of rehearsal, I have learned to emulate my character better, as well as improve my ability to change my voice to match the character, with things such as tone and volume.
What is your favorite genre of theater and why?
My favorite genre of theater is musical theater. I started acting a few years ago and the first production I was in was a musical. Musical theater is the reason that I act today, and it has become my favorite through its flexibility and the unique music in each show.
What is your dream role and/or your dream job in the theater world?
My dream role in a theater production is Ursula from “The Little Mermaid.” I have always wanted to play a villain in a story, as I like being able to act in a completely different way from the way that I normally act. I also love the singing aspect of this role, which is why it is my dream role.
How has participating in Hartland Drama Club affected your high school experience?
Participating in the drama club has introduced me to new people that I would not have met before and allowed me to make new friends that brighten my day when I go to rehearsal. It also is an opportunity to push myself to work hard in order to achieve a goal, be it memorizing my lines or character development, which has helped my overall attitude toward larger obstacles in my everyday life.
Alexandria Pruden, Costumes Crew Head
Parent(s): Chris and Sung Pruden
Grade: Junior
Activities: Chamber Choir, Drama Club, NHS, French Club
Hobbies: Reading, singing, playing Worldle (yes, Worldle!), browsing history videos on YouTube
Future Plans: College with an interest in history
What can audiences expect when they come to see “Deadline”?
This play is a mystery! Without revealing too much, let me say that these actors really bring the energy to the stage. No matter what show you attend, I am sure that you will be stumped by the questions they pose, and utterly shocked by the end! Be sure to bring your best detective hats!
What is unique/special about Hartland Drama Club’s production of “Deadline”?
Our production of “Deadline” has an amazing amount of charm to it. Our actors are incredibly dedicated to their roles, and it is astonishing to see how well the play is coming together as the weeks go by. Every single person working on this show is putting their all into it! It is so awesome to see so many of my classmates and friends getting involved with the show.
What has your experience been like working on a crew for this show?
This show has been a joy to work on! Of course, the stresses of all the deadlines (haha) are always in mind, but the cast and my crew members make every costume a fun experience as we laugh about how a costume is too big or small and joke about the chaos putting together an original costume creates.
What role does your crew play in making this show come to life?
Costumes’ job is to ensure that all our actors are clothed … and to make sure our actors fit right into the roles they’re playing. We hope to bring more characterization to the characters and support our actors. Clothing speaks to a person’s personality and can even change how a person is perceived. Our ultimate goal is to make the show seem as real as possible.
What do you hope audiences will experience as a result of your crew’s hard work?
I hope our audience connects with our characters and understands what themes we are meaning to portray with each outfit. My crew puts a great deal of effort into every detail of each costume. Keep an eye out — you may catch a glimpse of a small detail we included!
How has being the head of your crew impacted your life?
This is my first year being the head of costumes. I always look forward to heading back to our rooms at the end of the school day. Even being on the sidelines for this play, I get to see my friends onstage and backstage get excited for showing our hard work to an audience. It is so cool to see actors come to my crew with an idea in mind for their costume and help them breathe life into it. Working with such distinct people who all have the same passions as I do is a wonderful experience that I cannot wait to repeat for my remaining time in high school!
