“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” starring seniors Zaria Larnell, Alex Medina, Ada Klein, Marin Chambers and Emily Churchouse, hit the Oak Park and River Forest High School mainstage on March 1. The production required talent and dedication from hundreds of students and staff.

Right before winter break, hopeful actors, dancers and singers tried out for their parts and were assigned roles. Over the break these students practiced, studied and embodied their characters, and in the past couple of months, the production team has spent countless hours crafting lighting designs, scenery, costumes and props.

With 95 actors, a full backstage crew team led by Christopher Scholtens, a hair and makeup team run by Patricia Cheney and a team of production staff overseeing everything, taking the musical Cinderella from script to stage required a huge amount of person-power. From unique costume designs created by a student, senior Kanohi Gurgas, whimsical wigs and intricately crafted set design and props, the musical has many moving pieces–not to mention the 38-piece pit orchestra made up of OPRF students.

Adding to the challenge for this year’s musical was a lack of rehearsal space due to the changes being made to the building because of Project 2. The theater “green room,” the space used for rehearsals, costume changes and hair and makeup, is now completely gone due to construction and not scheduled to be rebuilt and available for use until fall of 2026. Because of this change, actors have had to adapt to practicing in the South Cafeteria and balcony, sharing spaces with sports teams that also practice after school. Costumes and wigs are now being kept in the Student Activity Center.

Even though losing a crucial space used by the theater department was an inconvenience, the students made them new spaces their own. Heather Van Delft, a special education teaching assistant as well as production assistant for Cinderella, said that when rehearsal was held on the balcony, she felt “a tiny little earthquake” as the balcony shook due to the students’ energetic rehearsing.

She went on to compliment all the actors on their level of dedication to the musical, stating, “I mean, after a full day of school, I am so surprised by how energized these young people are.” The actors rehearse every single day after school and have even dedicated some off days of school to come in the building and rehearse.

When asked what audience members should expect coming to see “Cinderella,” Michelle Bayer, the director and the chair of the OPRF theater department, described it as giving a “modernized feel to a…Victorian era story.”

“This isn’t your Disney ‘Cinderella,’” she added. “It’s a much more modern take on Cinderella. There’s much more female empowerment. She has choice in her life.” Bayer said the show also provides many female principal roles, which can be uncommon in the theater world.

Bayer said she is also pleased that so many freshmen are involved in this year’s production. Half of the cast this year is made up of freshmen, and they have proven to be an excited, focused group, she said, adding that she is excited that the theater program is continuing to grow.

Senior Emily Churchouse has been involved in the OPRF theater program all four years of high school and has been involved in many plays and musicals, including starring in last year’s musical “Mean Girls” as the lead role, Cady Heron.

This year, Churchouse has taken on the role of the Fairy Godmother to “Ella,” otherwise known as Cinderella. Churchouse said she has had a wonderful experience in the OPRF theater program. One of her favorite things about the program is the sense of community. “There really are opportunities for everyone,” Churchouse said. “Something I’ll carry from OPRF is to just go into places with an open mind…so much of theater is just about going with the flow and just saying yes to every opportunity.” Churchouse is currently choosing between different colleges to study musical theater, with aspirations of being on Broadway.

“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” opened this past weekend, with performances March 1 and 2. For anyone who may have missed it, the final performances are on March 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors or students. Visit https://www.oprfhs.org/activities/performing-arts-24-25 for ticket information.