By Melanie Kafka

Wolverine Theatre Company presents Radium Girls, a stage play by DW Gregory, at Wellington Community High School for their Fall 2024 performance, under the direction of Mrs. Cassandra Truelove.  Show dates are Thursday, November 7th through Saturday, November 9th, with curtains up at 7:00 PM.  This is Mrs. Truelove’s third production since she began teaching at the school last year, when under her direction, the theater students brought the house down with the unforgettable Trap, a play by Stephen Gregg and Alice by Heart, a Musical by Jessie Nelson and Steven Sater.

When arriving to interview the cast and crew, I expected some candid quotes and a brief synopsis of the show.  What I got was the story of how much being a “drama kid” meant to the students..  I started by talking with the Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, and Sound Technician, then moved on to have discussions with groups of cast members, and the conversations overlapped, intersecting themes of friendship, a sense of belonging, and being a part of something where the memories will last a lifetime.

To begin, I was astounded by the professionalism exuded by the backstage crew.  A Senior named Emily, the Sound Technician, said she was originally inspired to do lighting because of her older brother.  Then Mrs. Truelove encouraged her that she had what it takes to be the Sound Technician so she took a leap of faith.  Why does she keep doing it?  She says it’s “the rush to stay on script with everyone on and off the stage throughout the production.  Plus, the memories.”

The Assistant Stage Manager, another Senior, named Addis-Addijh, says this is her first time in the role.  Last year she helped out a lot backstage with both productions and “sort of just hung out and thought theater was fun.”  She found a home among the theater kids.  This story moved me the most among the students I interviewed.  Addis-Addijh mentioned relocating from Broward a year before and not knowing anyone.  She instantly clicked with her drama family and is all in this year behind the scenes.

Finally, the Stage Manager, a Junior student named Camila, is in her third year in this important role, including 8th Grade at Wellington Landings Middle School.  She has a certain energy about her and you just know the production is in good hands.  When asked if she just always knew this was something she wanted to do, she said the theater teachers encouraged her to do it.  But is encouragement alone enough to keep doing it?  Why keep going back? Camila told me “I’m an adrenaline junky.  I like the rush of everything going on around me.  In the beginning nobody knows what’s going on, and I love to see how it all comes together in the end.  This is also really a good outlet for me.”

So what can you expect from this performance?   I tried to pry details from the cast members about any teasers to share with the audience.  Last year’s shows were so full of unexpected twists and turns, so I hoped the students would divulge some secrets.  But they were reticent.  Just the facts, ma’am.  They gave character names and how they fit into the general storyline, but beyond that they said to get a ticket and come see the show!  I will tell you this about the Wellington High School’s Theatre Department’s production of Radium Girls – the students bring to life the story of a 1920’s era  radium factory run by an ambitious manager. Then there are his wife, the shopgirls, clerks, members of the board, and basically an entire village seemingly under his thumb, performed by this talented ensemble to produce an emotionally moving piece of theatrical brilliance that you won’t want to miss.

One student said “It’s such a serious topic and based on true events, so it’s hard to bring to life.”  Each cast member had so many unique stories to tell about why they love theater and putting on shows, and I wish I could share every quote they gave.  What I can  say is they are all pure magic.  Every last one of them.  Each student echoed the same thing when asked to give a quote – they keep coming back to do productions together because it is a creative outlet where they get to spend time with friends in a safe space to create art for others to enjoy.  When asked if they will continue to study theater after high school, some said they hope to, but many won’t as they move on to explore other interests such as marine biology, culinary arts, and ministry.  Let’s all show up for them to put on the best show for us and support the arts in our local high school!

Why spend Broadway prices at big venues when you can see a quality show and support our local students?

Purchase Tickets Here: https://wtcwhs.booktix.com/, Adults : $12.00 + $1.35 fee; Students : $8.00 + $1.20 fee

Where: Wellington Community High School, 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd., Wellington

When: Thursday, November 7th – Saturday, November 9th 7:00 PM Showtimes