The Skin of Our Teeth Goes To Shubert!!

By: Alanna Taveras

The cast and crew of The Skin of Our Teeth officially made their Broadway debut yesterday (Monday 24th) and we would like to congratulate them for leaving their all on the Shubert stage while performing this provocative, funny, and inspiring play. The play was written by Thornton Wilder in 1942, almost 100 years old, the themes of this play still ring true. The play follows the Antrobus family as they narrowly escape the end of the world- over and over again. The Antrobus family learns perseverance, and the ability to have faith in each other. Yesterday these Rep students worked and performed on the Shubert stage where the production, Hell's Kitchen, is currently taking place. 

Poster displayed in the Playbill for The Skin of Our Teeth

All ensembles from the five schools participating in the festival took part in a musical theatre workshop where they learned Defying Gravity from the hit musical and new movie Wicked. And were split between acting and ensemble workshops. The students learned how to stay in the moment, and played games that taught them how to work in teams and listen to each other. The tech kids, for the most part, were doing their own thing. The techies learned how to make lighting cues; which they would like to point out that Ms. Fusco had already taught them freshman year (they’re experts!). They also sat through some of the other school’s tech runs and got a first hand look at how all of tech comes together to bring a scene to life.

(from Left to Right) Ruby Rodriguez Ronco/Mrs.Antrobus, Alanna Taveras/Sabina, Renzo Ruiz/Mr. Antrobus

The Rep kids went to a studio to brush up on a few things before going back to the Shubert theatre where they got to run their tech and then went right back to the studios to work with mentors such as, Melissa Friedman (acting), Sean Mayes (musical theatre), and the PigPen theatre company (ensemble work). Dinner was provided to the actors and crew and there was a lot of mingling and laughs while trying to calm down the nerves they were all experiencing. 

Janiya McCray/Judge Moses

After a full day that began at 9:30 am, the doors to the Festival were officially open at 7pm. Students were seated and mic’d, family and friends were seated and playbills were handed out. The show went on with little to no hiccups, but you know, it is live theatre and the show must go on. Repertory was introduced by Khalia Wilcoxon and Will Eno, both veteran Broadway performers. All students were joined by Jessica Vosk to close the show by singing Defying Gravity where our very own, Maya Gasper and Walter Russel III, had a shared solo. 

Ada Fernandez along side Matt Nuernberger and Curtis Gillen from PigPen Theatre Co.

Overall, it was an experience that these kids will never forget. They made friends, received and gave compliments, and saw the possibilities of a world where their lives are filled with talent and lights. One thing that was especially highlighted, was the importance of funding the arts, the arts bring people together. We are allowed to share powerful messages through song and convey a look into a different perspective through a sonnet. Congrats to all of you that helped and performed in The Skin of Our Teeth- you guys should be very proud of yourselves.