Westwood High School to Perform “Charlotte’s Web”

Westwood High School (WHS) students will be performing its first-ever spring play, Charlotte’s Web ,on June 8th at 5:30pm and June 9th at 10:30am and 1:30pm. The play will be performed in the WHS courtyard (The rain location is the WHS cafeteria). Thurston Middle School drama teachers Gina Cosimini and Jen Walsh directed the play.

Cosimini commented that the Spring play began in hopes of getting interested students who cannot participate in the WHS’ fall play because of sports or other commitments involved. Junior Sami Parazin, who plays Charlotte, reported enjoying working with Cosimini and Walsh “I knew that they were good directors and I really liked them and I really like acting, so I decided to do the spring show.”

Cosimini mentioned that as a parent, she saw that high school plays were not necessarily appropriate or times for young children. She said that she also felt it was a good experience for the high school performers to gain the skills needed to perform in children’s theatre. Parazin commented “I quite like [the children’s theatre format]. It is very different, with a script more geared towards children...but also the less complex subject matter and messages. It is also very helpful that this is a well known story so everyone will be able to understand what is going on. It's much more simplistic than I am used to, but that is a nice thing at the end of the year.”

When asked if the performers would be wearing animal costumes, Cosimini replied “In order for [animal costumes] to work, they need to be super-realistic. Therefore, we are using the setting of a children’s birthday party and [the actors] find some costume elements.” “I really like that premise, especially since I play Charlotte, and I would rather not be outside in a heavy, bulky, black costume in the blazing heat. I quite like that I have on a flow-y dress, it is much more comfortable than I feared. It is also nice that our face paint is also a part of the costume, because it is something that kids can really relate to, as well as making us look like animals with no too much effort or masks” added Parazin.

In looking towards the future, Parazin expressed “I hope that the play next year is another fun, well-known piece. I hope that we are also able to do a play next year, if the kids and everyone else enjoy it this year.”

Charlotte’s Web will be performed June 8th at 5:30pm and June 9th at 10:30am and 1:30pm, with an estimated run time of one hour. The play will be performed in the Westwood High School courtyard at 200 Nahatan St in Westwood (The rain location is the WHS cafeteria). Tickets may be purchased ahead of time at WestwoodStage.com. Blankets or beach chairs are recommended for seating, and bringing your own snacks is encouraged.