Article by Hanna Nishikawara and Ambur Patel
RHS’s latest performance, Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief ran from March 15 to March 17 — dazzling audiences with a fresh new take on Rick Riordan’s classic novel of the same name.
Here are some of the highlights from our interviews with the cast and crew.
The Stage Crew
Now, this play wouldn’t be possible without everyone behind the scenes working to help immerse audiences in the world of Percy Jackson! Here is some insight into the strenuous process from the director of the stage crew — Isabella Chia Reyes.
What exactly is your job as stage manager?
Isabella: I have a lot of tasks to be in charge of as stage manager. I have to keep track of all the costumes and props, where the actors are going, when they go onstage, what mics they’re using, and where they are backstage during the production.
What was your experience in bringing the Percy Jackson musical to the stage?
Isabella: It was very interesting. It’s a lot of work — it took a little over three months to put the musical together. It’s a long process, but the production at the end was worth it.
What was your favorite part in developing the musical?
Isabella: My favorite part is the community! I loved being able to collaborate with my friends as co-workers and spending a lot of time with them. It was also very rewarding to see the show come together in the end.
The Performers
Of course, we can’t forget the main stars of the show — Daniel Fencik as Percy Jackson, Jeannille Ettinoffe as Annabeth Chase, and Nicholas Scaglione as Grover Underwood! Here are their responses to our questions:
How did it feel when you got the lead for the musical?
Danny: It was one of the best moments ever, honestly. After last year where I didn’t really get a good part, I knew I had to work really hard to attain the role this year. So when they posted the musical was going to be Percy Jackson, I thought, “I have a shot for this.” So I put a lot of work into getting the role and getting it was the best feeling ever.
Jeannille: It was great! I didn’t doubt myself, but at the same time, I didn’t expect to get such a huge role. People always say “Oh, seniors get the lead role,” and that doesn’t always happen, but I’m really grateful. I try to be encouraging to others and not just myself, and I’ve opened up recently, which is great.
Nick: My first feeling was relief because I was so happy that I got the role that I wanted. I trained really hard to get it, and I was very excited to be playing the role of Grover.
What was it like to perform onstage? How did this year’s show compare to the other performances you’ve been part of?
Danny: This show was definitely different from previous shows — it wasn’t very ensemble-based; it was focused on the three main leads. Being on stage practically the entire show was definitely intense, but mostly fun. I had to remember about 260 lines, the songs, and the dance numbers. I also had to learn how to fight with a sword.
Jeannille: I loved it, it was so good! It was definitely different because it was more “kid-friendly” compared to Mean Girls, which we did last year. It was different to how I was supposed to say certain lines, but being on stage and in the moment — especially with the energy from the audience — was amazing.
Nick: It was exciting! We had a more diverse group of singers; this year I think we had one of our strongest groups. They are really strong singers, and they know how to act, they know how to sing, and they really brought it to the stage. I think we have a good chance at getting awards, so I’m very happy about that.
Give us some insight into the process of developing the musical. What did you have to do to prepare?
Danny: I learned most of the music at home — my parts and harmonies. I worked closely with the Assistant Director on developing my character and making the character my own. So I really went in depth with my script and jotted down notes next to each line — “What’s my motivation behind this scene, behind this line?” and, “Why am I doing what I’m doing on stage?” We had musicals from 3 to 6 after school, and sometimes on Saturdays in the morning. We usually did vocal rehearsals from 3-4, and then I had choreography rehearsal from 4-6.
Jeannille: At first, I was at ground zero. I haven’t read any of the Percy Jackson books so I knew nothing. But Morgan Sherlock, the Assistant Director, helped with dramaturgy; diving into the character; Greek mythology (which I knew nothing about); and embodying and portraying her the way it’s supposed to be but also putting my spin on it. It was a little complicated but fun. I also enjoyed singing the songs and just putting my all into it, especially since I’m a senior and it’s my last show.
Nick: The first thing we would do is get in a circle and dive deep into the role we had. We would do character development and make sure of what we wanted to bring to the stage and how. Then we would do choreo and scenes, and towards the end, we would take notes and then teeter based on that.
What was your favorite part of performing the musical?
Danny: Definitely being able to have a solo, like singing Good Kid and Son of Poseidon. Those were really fun, and group numbers like DOA — it was so freaky to watch people come out with masks on and not knowing who was who — I was genuinely scared. My overall favorite song was Killer Quest; it was just fun to be onstage.
Jeannille: The bonds that I made with people. I was a lot closer with people this year than I have ever been anywhere, and in rehearsals, getting to be serious (to some extent) but also having that fun, that joy, is always nice.
Nick: My favorite part was the people I worked with. I feel like every time, even if you’re a freshman, you really get a sense of what being in a theater family is — and I enjoy making new friends. I enjoyed making the relationships I have now, and that’s what I look forward to most of the time when I participate each year.
As a senior, this was your last musical performance in RHS. What was it like to perform throughout your time here?
Danny: It has been such a rewarding experience. Just being in the community and in a space where you get to work with people from all grades, and being able to do something you love is so fun. I feel like I’ve truly become a better person by being in the musical. It’s also been such a cool evolution from being a freshman looking up to the seniors and then becoming a senior and a person people look up to.
Jeannille: Seeing I only performed four performances — two plays, two musicals — it was an experience. I don’t know, it was different. People ask me, “Why weren’t you in theater before?” and I don’t know, I just never considered it. Now being a senior, I wish I did start earlier because I know I’m going to miss it a lot — especially looking back at everything I’ve done and learned.
You are a junior, so you’ve got one more performance left in your high school career! What are your goals for next year’s musical and the part you will play in it?
Nick: My goal is to really sum up what I’ve given in one role. I really want to bring to the stage again, and I also want to take more of a leadership role, considering that I will be a senior. I want to give all the other grade levels a chance to see how we, as juniors, have grown into successful people and give any advice — anything I can leave them with — so they know they’re not alone.
One last question — what is your favorite play or musical that you have been part of?
Danny: I feel like I’m forced to say Lightning Thief because I was Percy Jackson, but Junie B. Jones was pretty fun as the first performance I did.
Jeannille: Mean Girls was my favorite musical to perform. My friends and I were going over the songs just for fun and I didn’t realize how much in the moment I missed it. But after going over it, I really did enjoy it so much.
Nick: I wouldn’t be able to say — I love all the performances I do; they’re all diverse in their own way. Probably Mean Girls because that was the funnest thing to do. I liked the choreo, I liked the people, and I loved the music so much.
All photos courtesy of Lors Photography.
Wishing all participants the best of luck in their future careers!
Interviews provided by Ambur Patel