Every second counts. From auditions to reading lines to dress rehearsals to the real thing, when preparing for a performance, everyone has to be all in. Taking on the role of Charlie Bucket for this year’s musical, Willy Wonka, sophomore Gage Petrick devotes the majority of his time to practice and preparation.
Petrick said he auditioned for the part of the Candy Man, due to his lack of acting experience, but after some convincing from his teacher, he also decided to audition for the lead character, Charlie Bucket. He kept his hopes low, so when he learned he had the part, he was shocked.
“I was just super happy,” Petrick said. “It wasn’t the main role I tried out for and I didn’t think I was going to get it, so when I found out that that was the role I got I was super excited and ready for what was to come.”
After getting used to the role, Petrick said he was grateful for the opportunity to play Charlie. As the lead, Petrick has to make a big commitment to the musical, especially as it inches closer and closer to opening night.
“Sometimes there’s rehearsals where just the leads have to show up and the lead has to show up before everyone else and it can be pretty stressful because you don’t have much time to do your homework or do anything that you really want to do,” Petrick said. “It kind of becomes your life and your free time and takes up all of your day.”
It may not be ideal to spend entire days at the school, but Petrick pushes through and finds the positives.
“I’m here pretty much all day, so everyone around me pretty much becomes my family, and here becomes my home, so having a second place to call home where I fit in and get to have lots of fun is exciting,” Petrick said.
Being at school all the time is just one of the many challenges Petrick faces. Many don’t realize the work and stress that comes with performing a whole show.
“There’s a lot of challenges that go along with it, but every rehearsal something new gets added and I have to kind of roll with the punches and just try and figure out new stuff with the stuff that I already have while also trying to make everyone’s stuff fit in,” Petrick said.
Possibly the biggest obstacle for Petrick is his hair dilemma. Around the school, he is known for his pristine mohawk but had to make a big change for the musical.
“Charlie Bucket doesn’t have a mohawk, so neither do I, but as soon as this is over it’ll come right back,” Petrick said.
With shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Petrick said he is awaiting opening night and the show run with enthusiasm and is ready to perform with the cast.
“I’m honestly really excited and I can’t wait for it to happen,” Petrick said. “I feel like we have to use each minute carefully because getting up to that point is a lot of work and we need as much time as we can get,” Petrick said.
