Actors flawlessly rehearsing their lines, stage crew strongly lifting props to take to the stage and costume designers working away on a masterpiece. All of this and more is what takes place in preparation for the fall play, The Play That Goes Wrong, which is packed with comedy excitement and laughter all on “accident”.

The Play That Goes Wrong is about an incompetent drama society that tries to stage a 1920 murder mystery named “The Murder at Haversham Manor”. Just as hinted at in the name of the play, everything that could possibly go wrong, does. Actors slip up on their lines, props fail, and the set physically breaks down. 

 Actors are essentially playing actors, and the idea of things purposefully going wrong makes even the set start laughing. This element of the play brings the comedic level to an all time high. 

“It’s a play in a play,” senior Caroline Mayer said. “I think my favorite part is that it’s just so funny. I saw it in New

York last yeaxr in May, and us and our entire group were literally just laughing the entire time.” 

There are also many sections filled with audience interaction. Audience members have a chance to, quite literally, be involved with the play.

 “At one point they bring up an audience member onto the stage with them,” Mayer said. “It’s all scripted, and an actor will come out into Langley Hall and talk, and it’s really fun.”

 Improvisation, or improv, also encourages actors to step up to the next level and get out of their comfort zone. Doing improv can also create a deeper source of entertainment for the audience. 

“This script gives you moments where it says the word vamp, where improv builds into something bigger and longer, or if it is shorter and quicker,” theater teacher Brian Kaufman said. “Almost like a choose-your-own-adventure.” 

With a production having so much suspense and excitement, many people are needed. The cast is given many roles and responsibilities throughout the show. 

 “Depending on what crew you’re in, you do a lot of different things. We have lights, sound, props, costumes, hair and makeup, run crew, [and] front house of marketing,” freshman Stella Scannell said. “You can do anything from running electrical to actually working outside during the show and selling concessions to artwork and painting and constructing the set.” 

Last but not least, a very vital part of the theater crew is the painting team. The painting team brings the set alive with the use of color and detail.

“Once the set has been constructed, then the painting team is the team that paints the set and does the design part,” Kaufman said.

Actors also have a lot of responsibilities. As they have to learn their lines, and get in character.

“The expectation is that the actors are coming in with the knowledge of who their character is and being able to make different choices in the rehearsal process, whether it’s right or wrong,” Kaufman said.

There is so much that goes into the production of The Play That Goes Wrong. All the roles and responsibilities are equally important, and so are the collective team that make the production a success. The Play That Goes Wrong runs from November 20th to 24th.