Designed by OHS theater teacher Jared Taylor.[/caption]For the past three weeks, the Orange High School theater department has been working hard to bring their winter comedy, Hairapy Sessions, to the stage. With side splitting humor and a highly unique set, Hairapy Sessions is sure to impress audiences of all ages.
Hairapy Sessions, directed by OHS theater teacher Jared Taylor, is a student-written play set in a Brooklyn hair salon. Like any other salon, the shop has become a hot bed for the area's juiciest gossip and buzz. Customers come in to vent or complain, mostly about the men in their lives, and get opinions from the ladies at the salon about their issues. However, the one-of-a-kind personalities of the hair dressers and shop regulars in Hairapy Sessions makes this play anything but average.
Main characters include Mary-Louise (Anastasia Zitko) and Barbara (Lauren Asbury), the middle aged salon owners, as well as Kathleen (Meghan O’Shaughnessy), who is the third stylist at the salon. Shop regulars include elderly widow Norma (Paige Wilcox), ditzy best friends Peaches (Morgan McCallum) and Evelyn (Olivia Herrera), and Jo-Ann (Nycol Lyons), who also happens to live in the apartment above the salon. Additional characters include newcomer Susan (Magaly Asuncion), Norman (Austin Davie, and understudy Luke Taylor), the shop repairman, and Dominick (Hunter Moser), Susan’s husband.
Aside from its humor, the Hairapy Sessions set is likely to be the one of the most intriguing parts of the play. For this show, the theatre department will be creating an entirely new type of environment for both actors and audience members-- a thrust stage. Never before seen in an OHS production, a thrust stage describes a set or stage which is surrounded by audience members on three sides. The most famous example of a thrust stage can be found in Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London, England. For audience members, this means that they will see the play from on stage. Although this will be a very unique viewing experience, the thrust stage will reduce the number of audience members that can see the show.
When asked what they think people will like most about Hairapy Sessions, cast members responded with several answers. Senior Nycol Lyons answered that “the thrust set” would be a highly appreciated aspect, while junior Morgan McCallum and sophomore Magaly Asuncion answered that the comedy would likely be an audience favorite. However, Assistant to the Director Robert Piscitelli noted that one drawing point is that the show is easy to connect to for some. According to Piscitelli, “Hairapy is very relatable to modern day teen problems.”
Hairapy Sessions is set to open Thursday, December 5 at 4:45 PM, only an hour after school dismissal. Additional performances will be held on Friday, December 6 at 7 PM, and on Saturday, December 7 at 2 and 7 PM. Admission is $5 per person, however, OHS faculty members and senior citizens can see the show for free.
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