Rocky Horror

Story by Leo Skelton
Photos provided Max Dudoit-Mendoza

Welcome to the late night double feature picture show, where humans and aliens join together for a supernatural party led by sweet transvestite Frank-N-Furter from Transsexual, Transylvania. The Rocky Horror Show, running from October 17 through October 31, is a sexy, spooky musical put on by the Hilo Community Players at the Keawe Theater. Directed by UH Hilo alumna Rachel Klein, the show features a medium-sized cast of performers, with several also a part of the University of Hawai’i at Hilo community, including myself!

Of course, the process of putting on a show is not limited to the performances themselves. Auditions for the show were held in August, and the first rehearsal was August 13th. Since then, the cast has rehearsed tirelessly multiple days a week to learn the show. Balancing rehearsals, work, and school is no easy feat, but the five of us from UH Hilo work tremendously hard to succeed in each area, including the many behind-the-scenes roles that bring the show together. Two UH Hilo students in the cast are Cameron Johnson and Lucille Valentine, both of whom I interviewed about the behind-the-scenes processes for this production. Cameron, a junior majoring in performing arts, is featured as a Transylvanian in the ensemble of the show. Lucille, a third year performing arts and communications double major, portrays one of the lead roles in the show: Columbia.

Interviewees Lucille Valentine (left) and Cameron Johnson (right)

“What is the behind the scenes process of a show like?”

Cameron: "Behind the scenes in all shows is a fun and exciting experience. It gives theater a new meaning when hanging around backstage with the cast and crew members. I was able to help build the set and scenery for this production, which had been a fun, unique, and challenging experience to say the least!"

Lucille: "It’s been a lot of in-depth rehearsals. For me personally, it’s really been about getting to know the character I’m portraying and how this show has been put on before—and how we can make it unique in our own ways."

Learning lines, practicing choreography, and even building the set are the parts of theatre that the audience rarely sees, but they are easily the most important part of the experience. This is the time that we build relationships with our fellow performers, improve our skills, and even learn new ones! The things we create behind the scenes are what make a show special.

“So far, what has been the best part about being involved in Rocky Horror?”

Cameron: "The best part has been working with new people that I have never worked with before, some of them even being new to theatre entirely. It’s been nice to make new friends and also develop the friendships I had before the show started."

Lucille: "The best part has definitely been getting to know the rest of the cast and crew and making such great friendships through the process. The dancing’s pretty fun, too! In nearly every show you’re in, there will always be someone you’ve never worked with before. You’re given the opportunity to make new connections within the industry, and who knows, you might even meet your new best friend!"

Naiya Spring, Mariela Burns, Lucille Valentine, Léo Skelton, and Cameron Johnson

“What would you say to UH Hilo students that want to be more involved in musical theatre?”

Cameron: "Go to any audition! You can even go just for the experience, and it is a great way to build your confidence. Auditions are open, so be on the lookout for open auditions in the future!" Lucille: "Easiest way to get involved is to just show up. It gets less scary with time, and the more you do it, the more fun you’ll find yourself having. I promise: The rest of us don’t bite…most of the time."

Dance rehearsal for Rocky Horror

Performing in front of others is ridiculously hard. Even performers like myself with over 10 years of experience still get nervous about auditions and performances. The best way to get used to the nervousness and work past it is to practice, and auditions are the perfect way to do that! It doesn’t matter if you don’t get cast on your first audition; rejection is a part of the process, too. The audition process will help you improve your skills and build your confidence, all while putting your name out there and gaining experience!

Whether through performing, working backstage, or just showing up and watching, supporting the arts is an incredibly valuable experience. Depending on ticket availability, you may still be able to catch The Rocky Horror Show at the Keawe Theater before it takes its final bow at the midnight performance on Halloween. Let’s do the Time Warp again!