Look out, Timberwolves, because it’s that time of the year again! Full of singing, acting and costumes galore, Tualatin Theatre is back in business. This time, they’re putting together a musical production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Auditions took place during the middle of February, and the cast and crew, along with many other people who are helping in the process, will be working together to create the musical in the following few months.

In an interview with The Wolf, theatre teacher and musical director Jennifer Hunter-Tindle, lead actor Henry Findtner and dance captain Anna Schott shared their experiences with the musical so far. 

From your perspective, what is most important when preparing for a play?

Hunter: “As the director, prepping was a huge amount of organization of knowing how long each part of the process is going to take. Learning music is first, then learning the dances comes second, putting the two of those together comes third and then folding in the tech parts of this—the lighting, design and costume design—is last. [There is] a huge amount of planning to make sure that we’re on track to accomplish our learning goals in about eight and a half weeks.”

Findtner: “Connecting with your fellow castmates and creating chemistry between yourselves is important to make the play more believable onstage. Memorizing the songs and lines is probably most important, as the sooner we memorize, the sooner we can dive deep into the characters and art.”

Schott: “Memorizing and getting to know the material as soon as possible, but also having fun! Theatre is a perfect place to express and to be yourself!”

What about this musical is special or unique from others you’ve done in the past?

Hunter: “This is my first time being the artistic director since Kim Kroeger retired, so this is my first time dealing with a musical, which has a very different approach than a non-musical. This musical is called a ‘sing-through rock opera,’ so there’s no point where the show stops and has a scene with dialogue. Also, it’s a really well-known story as far as musical theatre, so it’s been really over-produced and then it went away a little bit. And so, it’s kinda fun for us to bring it back from the past!”

Findtner: “This musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, is 99 percent singing, which is a lot different from other musicals that are half and half with dialogue. It’s definitely more of a challenge. The types of songs throughout the show are all spread between different genres as well.”

Schott: “I haven’t been able to do a high school production before, so everything about this is very special! This is also my senior year, so unfortunately, it’s both my first and last time, but I’m still so excited to see this musical unfold.”

What has been great so far?

Hunter: “I think the best part is seeing how much interest our students show in being in the musical and a willingness to try new things. You know, students who say, ‘I’m not a good singer!’ and well, you’re going to be singing in a big group, so it’s a small risk to take instead of a giant risk of singing by yourself. We have 60 on stage and 35 backstage, so we have 95 people involved so far. And then Reggie Stegmeier will have the full orchestra coming in as well, so we’ll be easily over a hundred by the time the whole show is being put together!”

Findtner: “Everyone has had great energy and been focused up in rehearsals, which is great. We all support each other as a cast!”

Schott: “It’s been so fun to sing with everyone. The songs are very diverse and bright, and everyone is so talented!”

What has been the biggest struggle?

Hunter: “I think the hardest part is budget, time and happiness, and making sure that all of those things are in balance. You want a high level of excellence, but you also want a high level of joy.”

Findtner: “So far, there haven’t been many struggles, but the biggest struggle for us would be if people don’t show up for rehearsal. It hurts everyone else when someone isn’t there.”

Schott: “Singing is not my strongest suit, so I’d say that learning the songs has been both great and my biggest struggle!”

What are you looking forward to?

Hunter: “I love costumes, I love lights; you know, the shiny parts! I think when everything comes together—it’s opening night and you have worked really, really hard and then there’s an audience that just appreciates all that hard work—is always the big payoff.”

Findtner: “I’m most looking forward to [the] second night of the show, as the first show I’m always too nervous to enjoy it too much. During the second show, we already proved to ourselves we can perform to an audience, so the pressure is off.”

Schott: “I’m looking forward to it all, especially the dancing. But also, the set is about to be put together, and I cannot wait to see the finished product of that!”

What should we, as the audience, look forward to?

Hunter: “Seeing a very different interpretation of the show! Traditionally, it is a set in traditional, old timey, biblical Egypt, and this is not going to look like that. We have made it look like a rock concert, and there are going to be costumes influenced by rock icons throughout time. So you’ll see a little bit of the Beatles, you’ll see a little bit of Elvis, you’ll see a little bit of punk, you’re going to see some Willie Nelson. We’re really driving on musical influences throughout modern time!”

Findtner: “The musical has a lot of full group musical numbers, which are lots of fun. There is also a ton of humor sprinkled in, including the appearance of a goat onstage, but I can’t say too much.”

Schott: “All of it, as I said before, everyone is so talented; when all of the different elements of this show come together, it’ll be something really, really special.”

Is there anything else you would like to mention?

Hunter: “I just highly encourage everyone to go see theatre! I think that it has  sometimes a stigma to it of, ‘theatre’s not for me, it’s boring’, but the theatre that we try to do here is theatre for everybody.”

Findtner: “Make sure to come see the show in May; it’s going to be a good time. Thanks!”

Schott: “Come see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in May!”