Behind the Scenes of Trevor’s Chicago

 By Jamie Herfort

Chicago is an ensemble musical made up of a group of actors who have to trust each other; without the camaraderie, the show would have no energy or life. During Trevor’s production, the cast was able to form a tight-knit community that brought the show to life.

When students first started rehearsing, they were separated into groups, but as the opening got closer, they became more and more like a family. The separation of the cast was most likely due to the fact that everyone was from different grades; people were friendly with some peers in other grades, but not all. The most surprising aspect was that the people who had begun isolated from the rest were the ones who ultimately brought the cast together. Each cast member had someone to rely on no matter what grade they were in.

As in all shows, the actors dealt with stress that sometimes induced arguments with each other, and this division seemed to be disadvantageous to the workings of the show. However, when I interviewed the director, Michael Baxter, he explained how this dynamic was used as a building point for the production. When the cast finally came together, the show was at its best. Baxter wanted the actors to honor the production and respect the authenticity of the time period and the script: “Authenticity was my way into the show and playing into the Prohibition time period.” He wanted the cast to effectively portray a version of their characters from 1920’s Chicago.

“The final show allowed for everyone to connect and make new friendships.”

As tech week progressed, the cast tapped into the essence of the era. The more the cast was able to convey the time period, the more they were able to collaborate and finally gain trust for one another. The final show not only brought the characters to life, but it proved how the ways in which they worked together work allowed for everyone to connect and make new friendships. In the end, the actors always supported each other when they had fallen behind, whether or not they were friends beforehand. A genuine community was made within the cast, and that familial bond was manifested by the energy and enthusiasm showcased in every song and scene.