The Ridge Players

Auditions and casting are two of the most difficult jobs a director has to do. I spent weeks (months, really) before the audition dates studying and thinking about the show and each character in it. Casting a show with such well-known characters is even more challenging. I had to decide what were the most important traits I was looking for in each character and then match the actor who has most of those traits. Casting is an emotionally draining and complex process. Casting correctly is the single most important facet of what can be done to ensure the success of any show.

Casting a show is like a puzzle. I had more “pieces” to choose from than there were spots in the puzzle. Auditioning is a competitive and daunting process. The feeling of rejection from not getting cast is unavoidable and completely normal. Your audition is successful if you learned something and if you did your best. Not every role is right for every actor. I want everyone that came out to audition to know, that in theatre, there is a home for everyone. Continue to audition, ask for feedback, and practice. But don’t give up.

Thank you, honestly, from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to come and audition for Clue. I hope to see you all (and more) at future auditions!

Miss Machol, director

It was a busy year, for sure, but we had lots of fun. PRHS produced a musical (Sister Act) after having to skip a year.

Our students competed at State at did extremely well.

MONOLOGUES:
Amanda Stanley – Flowers in the Desert / The Girls – EXCELLENT

DUET ACTING:
Wilfredo Figueroa and Jessica Charles – Wait, Wait Bo – EXCELLENT
Kristen Mendez and Brenda Morales – Girls Guide to Saving the World – EXCELLENT

SOLO MUSICAL THEATRE:
Cadee Schultz – “See, I’m Smiling” – Last Five Years – SUPERIOR
Yadi Hernandez – “Quiet Night at Home” from Bare: A Pop Opera – EXCELLENT

PLAYWRITING:
Savannah Glesmer – “I Looked in the Mirror and Didn’t See Me” – EXCELLENT

We are looking forward to producing Clue and 9 to 5 The Musical in the 2019-2020. We thank you all for your continued support!

We had twenty-two students compete in individual events on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Fort Myers High School. For the first time in troupe history, we didn’t bring home anything less than an excellent. Here’s how they did:
(if you see any of these students, please congratulate them)

MONOLOGUES:
Jessica Charles –  Shun the Heaven / The Rehearsal – SUPERIOR
Elizabeth Echevarria – Macbeth / Goodbye, Charles – EXCELLENT
Wilfredo Figueroa – The Hunter’s Moon / The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin – SUPERIOR
Kaitlyn Sokolich – Spring / Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Pinata Women, and other Superhero Girls, Like Me – EXCELLENT
Amanda Stanley – Flowers in the Desert / The Girls – SUPERIOR

DUET ACTING:
Wilfredo Figueroa and Jessica Charles – Wait, Wait Bo – SUPERIOR
Jada Jonassaint and Shania Celestin – Bad Auditions by Bad Actors – EXCELLENT
BB Badke and Kaitlyn Sokolich – Anger Management – EXCELLENT
Kristen Mendez and Brenda Morales – Girls Guide to Saving the World – SUPERIOR

ENSEMBLE ACTING:
Brittany Badke, Annabelle Chapman, Elizabeth Echevarria, Dominique Loyd, Nicole Rodriguez, Kaitlyn Sokolich, and Raquel Wajner – Disney Mom’s Group Therapy – EXCELLENT

Cayden Franz, Savannah Glesmer, Amanda Stanley, and Nathan Tart – Fugue – EXCELLENT

SOLO MUSICAL THEATRE:
Cadee Schultz – “See, I’m Smiling” – Last Five Years – SUPERIOR (BEST IN ROOM)
Natalie Solis – “Get Out and Stay Out” from 9 to 5 the Musical – SUPERIOR
Kristen Mendez – “Always Starting Over” from If/Then – SUPERIOR
Yadi Hernandez – “Quiet Night at Home” from Bare: A Pop Opera – SUPERIOR
BB Badke – “Easy as Life” from Aida – EXCELLENT

DUET MUSICAL THEATRE:
Wilfredo Figueroa and Yadi Hernandez – “Plain Jane, Fat Ass” from Bare: A Pop Opera – EXCELLENT

SMALL GROUP MUSICAL THEATRE:
Kristen Mendez, Cadee Schultz, and Natalie Solis – “Flying Away (Finale)” from Fun Home – EXCELLENT

COSTUME DESIGN:
Reid Ott – The Play That Goes Wrong – EXCELLENT

PLAYWRITING:
Savannah Glesmer – “I Looked in the Mirror and Didn’t See Me” – SUPERIOR
BB Badke and Yadi Hernandez – “Promise” – EXCELLENT
Avery Marchesiello – “Death on the Murder Express” – SUPERIOR
Brenda Morales – “Cords That Wouldn’t Cut” – SUPERIOR
Amanda Stanley – “I Don’t Want to Die” – EXCELLENT