This year’s directors of Freshman Cabaret, Theatre Ink’s only all-inclusive show, are highlighting the show’s unique inclusivity with their show “True Colors,” according to acting director sophomore Elena Rodriguez.
“True Colors,” directed by Rodriguez and sophomores Liv Berlin, Ashley Campbell and Leah Moskowitz, will go up Thursday, Dec. 13 and Friday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium.
The theme of “True Colors” is about expressing oneself and showing who one truly is, according to Rodriguez. The directors chose the theme because “Freshman Cabaret is about expressing who you are and showing this school what you have to offer as a performer,” she said.
The show’s theme connects directly to the all-inclusive nature of the show, Rodriguez said. “By including everyone, we are accepting everyone’s personality and spirit. Each student brings a new type of talent, which other cut shows lack.”
According to Rodriguez, “Everyone in the show has something different and unique to offer to the show, and once all the individual talents are meshed in one production, it is a fantastic array of the freshmen talent as a whole,” she said.
Campbell, the show’s singing director, explained that the theme of being able to express oneself is important for both the audience and the cast.
“In addition, I think the audience will be able to relate to this theme because everyone has experienced that it is not always easy to be yourself,” she said.
While Rodriguez connected this theme to the inclusivity of the show, Campbell also noted a practical benefit to Freshman Cabaret being all-inclusive: students can be a part of Freshman Cabaret while participating in other activities, whereas shows with casting cuts often require a bigger time commitment.
The directors chose the production’s music and scenes based on the theme, according to Campbell.
Moskowitz, the show’s choreographer, said she “decided to direct Freshman Cabaret because I had a great experience participating in the show my freshman year, and I wanted to give the incoming freshmen the same experience.”
“The best part of the process thus far has been working with the cast and with my directing team,” said Moskowitz.
As a singer and actor in the production, freshman Noah Brown’s favorite part of the process is also working with his peers. “Hanging out with my good friends who are doing the show and meeting new people who I probably would not have met otherwise has been awesome,” he said.
Brown will perform in a comedic sketch, “Getting Business Done” written by Rodriguez, where he plays a novice intern at a company. An incompetent boss, played by freshman Alex Weylman, uses Brown’s character to impress prospective clients by voicing the novice’s ideas instead of his own. Through the negative portrayal of the boss, the scene connects to the theme by criticizing those who choose not to show their “True Colors,” according to Rodriguez.
Brown will also solo in “Takin’ It To The Streets” by the Doobie Brothers and “New Philosophy” by Shan Carballo. “I originally thought ‘Takin’ It To The Streets’ was kind of boring because it’s short and a bit repetitive, but after singing it, I can see that it will be fun,” said Brown.
“I’m excited to see how the show turns out, and having all the work pay off,” he said.
