“Once on This Island”, Oxford’s third-ever complete musical performance, is coming to fruition on Nov. 3rd and 4th as a pleasant change of pace from the previous fragmented show format, which encompassed songs from a variety of musicals. Embracing the challenges, the OA singers are ready to bring another musical to life.
“Once on This Island” follows peasant Ti Moune as she falls in love with a man of opposing status and bargains with the gods for his life after a devastating car crash. The leads, sophomore Ava Pitts and 8th grader Jack Sequeira, have been honing their performances through one-on-one practice with the choir teacher and program director Mr. Hogan.
“[Meetings] on Tuesdays are for me or other roles to meet with Mr. Hogan personally to learn individuals’ songs and solos better and develop a character,” said Pitts, “It allows me to have more sense of security in the music that I’m working on.”
Alongside the performance aspect of musical production, the set-building and costume-making team have been working together to immerse viewers in a lively, tropical paradise. From lush, lofty palm trees to run-down huts, these details enhance the economic divide that drives the conflict of the musical.
“We will be building a tiny shack; this is in direct contrast to the home of the wealthy Grand Hommes which is going to be a mansion,” said sophomore set-builder Santiago Pleitez. “The mansion will have silver gates and tall pillars while the shack’s walls won’t be fully built and will have trash everywhere.”
To construct these detailed designs, choir students and parents have been participating in weekly Saturday workdays.
“We work primarily on the woodwork, but now that we have a few pieces done, we will begin painting the sets,” said Pleitez. “The environment is very hospitable. We all get along and not only are you helping build, but also learning life skills [like] how to use the tools.”
Along with the more student-reliant parts of the process, plans to include new professionals in this upcoming show have been postponed. With the passing of Proposition 28 — a state-wide initiative to fiscally support arts and music education — funds have been allocated to the choir department but not yet applied.
“I hope to hire an accompanist who would be here in class with us, that would then be able to lead the band when we do our performances,” said Mr. Hogan. “The second person I want to hire is a part time choreographer that would be on staff and [present] more than our normal choreographers are.”
These additions will be sure to up the caliber of future shows, as students get to spend more time in class cleaning up choreography, as well as more guidance while learning new music.
The OA Singers continue to solidify their new musical approach to fall shows this year, embracing new changes for a show to be proud of and demonstrating how additional resources and opportunities can make a new level of creativity possible. With all the behind-the-scenes effort put into “Once On This Island,” the show is sure to be worth the watch.
