During a daylong rehearsal for the musical “Spring Awakening,” the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) was abuzz with sound and action.
As one group went over music and movement with choreographer Lisa Markowitz and musical director Dylan Cisneros in the venue’s theater space, other students were upstairs in the costume shop, trying on clothing that would transport them to late 1800s Germany — the setting for the production focusing on teenage life in a restrictive society where grown-ups hold all the cards.
Amid the controlled chaos, director Olivia Theilemann (who’s also BAAY’s artistic director) took a few minutes to talk about the play and the debut of the State Street Theatre Company. Tailored to local youth ages 15–18, the program focuses on content meant to challenge musical theatre students and prepare them for collegiate-level work.
“Spring Awakening” fits the bill. Dealing with hot-button issues including depression, suicide, parental (and teacher) abuse, abortion, morality, mortality and sexuality, the Tony Award-winning musical is known for its frank look at what it takes to survive adolescence. Throw in a rock and roll score, and the show propels actors and audiences forward in time and offers them a contemporary glimpse at the topics at hand.
Parental consent was required for participating cast members, and Theilemann said they’ve been clear with the community that the material varies widely from BAAY’s typical song-and-dance fare for younger students. Parental guidance at the performances is strongly recommended, and although much of the more explicit content will be implied instead of seen, audiences should still expect strong language and plot points that pack an emotional wallop.
“As we select these summer shows going forward we will always choose pieces that are going to be challenging in content and quality,” Theilemann, 29, said, noting the play will be performed at Mount Baker Theatre’s intimate Walton Theatre Aug. 26–28 and Sept. 2–4 as a way to provide the students with even more pro-level pointers.
“They’re going to march into the Mount Baker Theatre on Monday for our tech rehearsals and they’re going to be working with professional technicians,” she said, beaming with pride. “We’re really trying to set them up so they know what to expect if they want to continue this.”
Theilemann said “Spring Awakening” is personal for her. She saw a touring production of the musical when she was in high school and has been obsessed with it ever since. Knowing it was a script that likely wouldn’t get chosen in a public school, she got the go-ahead from BAAY’s board and other staff members and is thrilled to be bringing it to life.
“It’s a story that is about teenagers, and is for teenagers,”
Theilemann said. “The fact that we could give teenagers a very realist, really exciting theater experience with a script that they might not ever get to work with in their lifetime is why I chose it.”
For those not in the know, Theilemann explained that the play focuses on a group of teens who live in a provincial town in 1890s Germany. They are all going through normal teenage stuff, but because there’s a lot of religious presence, shame and embarrassment around sexuality and mental health is exacerbated. When a song starts, she said, there will be a dramatic light shift and all of a sudden it will be as if attendees are at a contemporary alternative rock concert.
By bringing the action into the modern day, Theilemann said, it shows how the problems and struggles of teenagers have remained the same through the ages. But the issues they’re going through, she noted, may not always be easy to watch.
“There’s a lot of potential for people to have really strong emotional reactions to the play,” Theilemann said.
“But that’s kind of why theater exists. It’s really powerful to watch somebody going through something that you can really relate to in this beautiful artistic way right in front of you.”
While the actors involved in “Spring Awakening” are taking the subject matter seriously, it was evident during the rehearsal process that they’re also having fun. In between blocking scenes, they discussed everything from the merits of the musical “Hamilton” to the recent hubbub at the PRCA rodeo at the Northwest Washington Fair, what it felt like to take deep breaths and then let out a giant “moooooooo,” and coffee preferences.
“Starbucks be damned, McDonald’s coffee is really good,” one cast member said, laughing.
But when Theilemann asked the students to focus and walked through the blocking with them, they paid attention and even offered their insight. Among those speaking up were Ethan Riggs, a longtime BAAY student who plays one of the main characters, Melchior Gabor. Riggs opined that he wanted to try two different versions of a scene involving a weapon.
Theilemann acknowledged all ideas and was open to discussing script changes, but remained firm in her direction. She also ensured cast members were comfortable with lines involving cursing or prickly plot points (they were).
Although “Spring Awakening” stars local teens and is about the trials and tribulations of adolescence, Theilemann said the performances are not just for youth. She encourages community members both young and old to see the show.
“To me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime story to experience,” she said. “I think any person can see themselves in at least one of the characters, whether it’s a teenager who’s going through mental health struggles or an adult who remembers being a teenager who’s going through mental health struggles. There’s something for every audience member to emotionally latch on to, while also experiencing beautiful imagery, acting and singing.”
“Spring Awakening” shows Aug. 26–28 and Sept. 2–4 at the Mount Baker Theatre’s Walton Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. Tickets are $12–$20.
Content warning: This production includes mature language and themes. Parental guidance for younger viewers is strongly recommended. Info: baay.org or mountbakertheatre.com.
