Story co-written/ produced with Chloe Ettinger
“What’s your damage, Heather?” A popular line from an even more popular movie and musical about murder, suicide, teenage angst, and finding yourself.
Heathers: The Musical is the first show put on by the School of Stage of Screen since the COVID-19 pandemic where the actors were unmasked in an indoor theater. In the words of the characters, it was so “very”.
The three nights of the show during the weekend, Dec. 2, to 4th the University Auditorium was full. The audience cheered loudly after each number. There was an immediate standing ovation as soon as the final lights went down.
Heathers: The Musical is based on a cult classic film, Heathers, starring Winona Ryder. The original soundtrack was released in 2014. Starting as an off-Broadway show, it has since found its way to a multitude of stages, including the West End, before being put on at Western Carolina’s very own University Auditorium.
Prior to this show, the Stage and Screen department held outdoor performances, including Into the Woods and a Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The show was put on over the course of one month, including a Thanksgiving break in between. The cast came in to the first rehearsal having all their lines memorized.
During the rehearsal process, everyone was required to wear a mask. It was only during the dress rehearsals that they were allowed to take them off. The cast also underwent regular COVID testing for their performances and many were fully vaccinated.
In order to maintain safety, the audience was required to wear masks, and the actors had to replace theirs whenever they were not onstage.
“It means so much to be able to perform in a way that feels like normal again,” said Payton Miller. Miller is a senior Musical Theatre major and played Heather Chandler, the top of the three “Heathers.” This was Miller’s last mainstage show before she graduates this Spring.
Ariana Haylock, a senior acting major, was in the ensemble for Heathers. She spoke about how, as an actor, it’s important to gauge each other’s reactions in a scene. Doing that is much harder with a mask on.
Being maskless, Haylock said, added a “nice, fresh layer” to the performances.
To perform without a mask, “Feels so freeing!” said Miller. “It seemed like something out of reach for so long. I just feel very grateful.”
Heathers was the last show for the fall season. Upcoming shows are Romeo & Juliet, opening in February, and the Addams Family musical, opening in April. For more information, click here.
