There are many classic stories that leave lasting impressions on our hearts, some of which being so versatile and beloved they take shape in many forms, from books to plays and movies. Maybe you enjoy Pride and Prejudice for its timeless love story, or perhaps you gravitate more towards To Kill a Mockingbird for its serious and emotional themes. This year, Duchesne’s spring musical is giving the epic tale Little Women its flowers, all done as the school’s first completely student-led play.
Though it may now be March, production and planning for this show began well before the new year, with hardworking student director, Valaria Alcala (11th grade), beginning her early planning stages before the 2024-2025 school year ended. “I really wanted the musical to happen, and I know lots of others would be excited for it too, which made it being student led fun because we were up for the challenge,” Alcala shares. “The themes of little women are very relevant to our school and sisterhood, I wanted to highlight how womanhood is different for everyone.”
So much hard work goes into putting together such a large-scale production, especially when navigating the learning curves that come with a student-led group. Organizing and planning all the aspects of the show can feel like a part-time job. Despite the challenges, the show’s director and team leaders have handled difficulty with grace and perseverance. Part of this achievement can be credited to the organization and detail that the group has used to handle tasks.
The Little Women team is split into eight committees: Actors, Hair and Makeup, Fundraising, Marketing, Costumes, Production, Props, and Set Design. The Fundraising committee, a school-wide favorite, continues to put on bake sales to raise money for set pieces and production costs, Little Women has not only our hearts but our sweet tooths when it comes to combining Duchesne’s joy for helping impassioned students achieve their goals and our love for gouter (French for snack, a Duchesne tradition!). Set design is another hardworking faction, painting set dressings and furniture almost daily in the art building to help the show come to life.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a musical without the talented actors that put their hearts and souls into rehearsals, meeting in Duchesne practice rooms, the Cameron Theater in the Fine Arts Building, or any other nook and cranny of the school that can be used in preparation for the big day.
Little Women opens May 1st at 7:30 p.m. in Duchesne’s Cameron Theater. Come see the incredible work and exciting show that has been months in the making for a night of laughter and heartfelt performances. Tickets can be bought day of show in the Jones Art Gallery.
