The musical “Margaret’s Mind” will premiere in the United States on Waynesville High School’s stage in April.
“I am over the moon excited that we can personalize this musical,” said Maria Butler, WHS theater director and Thespian Troupe 1669 director. “The show includes 40-plus named characters and we can add characters as needed. With a record number of students (58) auditioning this year, more students than ever will have an opportunity to be involved.”
Debuting the show opens countless opportunities for creativity. With no pre-existing backdrops, costumes or dance choreography, WHS will create and design the dance moves, color scheme, costuming and blocking – the movements and positioning of actors.
“In addition, they are writing the music for us,” said Butler. “This is a beautiful opportunity for our students’ talent to shine.”
The musical chronicles the fictional experiences of Margaret, a 14-year-old high school student, who battles low self-esteem and social anxiety, but writes about “the perfect Margaret” who is confident and popular.
The website at https://www.margaretsmind.com/ states, “…Things get worse when her estranged older half-brother, Ashley, discovers her writing. A struggling composer, Ashley finds great beauty in Margaret's words and secretly uses them as inspiration for his next project, “Margaret's Mind: A New Musical.” While Margaret is initially horrified at discovering her private writing has been developed into a budding Broadway show, it is the start of her journey to accepting who she is in a story of dreams, friendship and self-love.”
Sian McBride at Cheltenham College originally produced “Margaret's Mind” and played a large part in its original development. After reading the feel-good dialogue about teenage growth, Butler connected with the musical’s author – Alex Gatherer of the United Kingdom – in a directors’ group. They discussed the possibilities of performing the show at WHS and not only did Gatherer say yes, but he also invited WHS to premiere the show in the U.S.
'I'm thrilled to have Waynesville High School producing the North American premiere of Margaret's Mind!” Gatherer said. “From speaking to Maria, it was clear that the school was exceptionally passionate about the performing arts and recognized the importance of their place in a child's development. I can't wait for Margaret's Mind to join the list of fantastic productions created by the WHS students and staff, and just down the road from where the show is set! I'm hopeful everyone involved will find it an empowering, challenging and joyful experience and look forward to WHS students blowing audiences away with their talent and passion come April.”
Butler also looks forward to the show’s debut.
“This fell into my lap,” Butler said. “It’s twice as hard because there is nothing to go on, but it’s a director’s dream come true. This opens up endless opportunities for collaborating across curriculums.”
Butler says that students in theater, choir, band, art construction technology, JROTC and others will be engaged in this project.
Waynesville High School’s theater students and Troupe 1669 will perform the musical at 7 p.m. April 24, 25 and 26 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, in the WHS Auditorium.
