A world of pure imagination comes to life. Sutton Middle School’s musical this year was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it was a sugar-coated triumph! What started as a student’s MYP project has now become a yearly tradition, one that many from both the middle and high school look forward to. The musical has transformed into a showcase of the talented students of Sutton Middle School, and the leadership and commitment of the North Atlanta crew that helps them accomplish such a production. This year, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had a cast that consisted of 23 Sutton students and a crew of 29 North Atlanta students who worked for about 3 months before the opening night performance on Thursday, November 7th.
Senior Rhys Wills was a co-director of this year’s musical and a long-time alum of this NAHS and Sutton collaboration. From going every day after school to organizing the cast and crew, the set, costumes, and props, Rhys was the go-to girl. What makes this story even sweeter is that Rhys is a prodigy in this program. She was casted in the musical in sixth grade and continued to pursue theater in highschool before becoming the director as a senior. “It has always been a dream of mine to be the director in my senior year, and after a lot of hard work, I finally made it,” said Wills. “Six years in the making and I would do it all over again if I had to. I loved every minute of it.”
This show would not have been possible without the other co-director, and part of this dynamic duo, senior Brie Richardson. Originally going in to help with the musical after a request from Wills, it soon became something Richardson loved to do. Sharing the equal responsibility to Wills in their tasks, Richardson took on a little bit of everything and anything as she helped Wills to try and cultivate this show, looking forward to seeing the Sutton students who had become like younger siblings to her through the experience. “Through being one of the directors, I was able to find my passion and what I want to continue to do into the future,” said Richardson. “The most rewarding thing was to see something that you and so many others worked on come to life and just be genuinely happy for all the students for what they accomplished.”
As many wait in anticipation for next year, our co-directors for the new year are already imagining what will be in store. Juniors Avery Austin and Chloe Ashford acted as assistant directors to Wills and Richardson this year in preparation for their roles as co-directors next year. The two observed how to direct the kids, helping anyone in their spare time and even choreographing and directing some of the scenes themselves. “I am always on stage at North Atlanta, so being behind the scenes was a new and exciting experience for me,” said Ashford. “I love theater, and being able to share my love with others and create a safe space for the students is one of my favorite parts.”
Every show was simply a scrumdiddlyumptious performance, an everlasting gobstopper of excellence! Who else is eagerly looking forward to next year’s shows already (I know I am)?
