This year, Rancho Cucamonga High School drama’s department obtained the rights to perform the just off-Broadway play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
Harry Potter, the famous seven-book series was written by author J.K. Rowling. Almost 10 years later, on July 30, 2016, the first play for the book series came out: “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” written by Jack Throne.
Taking place 19 years after the final book “Harry Potter and the Deadly Shadows,” Albus Severus Potter, the son of Harry Potter and Ginny Potter, goes to Hogwarts and gets sorted into Slytherin. Albus forms a hatred towards his father, Harry, who’s the headmaster.
Mr. James Loudermilk, the Theater Director at RCHS shared his excitement about the upcoming play.
“This is a production with magic tricks, a lot of lighting, tricks with costumes and the set,” Loudermilk said. “So I’m working closely with the tech students; We were also provided with a couple of how-to guides from the actual Broadway production. That’s helping us with the tricks, costumes, as well as the sets. So, I’m working hard to teach.”
Loudermilk said this play has a personal connection to him.
“This show is a show that showcases things I love about being a teacher, it’s building community, working together, and it’s a huge moral of the story,” Loudermilk said. “And yes, it is my favorite too. I love how Harry Potter has sort of endured over time. It’s something that I read when I was young, up till high school. My senior year was when the 7th book came out and it’s exciting to me to share these stories with students.”
Loudermilk said that he is excited to see his students perform this play.
“I’m excited to see it all come together. And see my students tackle this big show that just came off Broadway,” Loudermilk said.
Junior Dawson Hyde was cast as the main character Albus Severus Potter.
“I’m excited because it’s new and it lets us experiment. I am also excited for the cast. It’s gonna be fun,” Hyde said.
Starring alongside Hyde will be senior Caroline Quanstrom. She will star as Scorpius.
“I’m so excited,” Quanstrom said. “I think everyone is a little nervous, with something so different but we all feel very secure with each other and our director, it’ll round itself out to be awesome.”
Quanstrom said this role will be a new experience for her.
“My character Scorpius, is so different from what everyone expects me to do and what I expect myself to do. So, I’m so excited and a little bit scared to be able to have this opportunity to be something so different,” Quanstrom said.
The play will debut on Thursday, Oct. 24 in the RCHS Auditorium, and it will continue with performances on Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26.
“We would love to have as many students as possible cheering on their friends. So you come, you bring a friend or family member. We want a sold-out show,” Loudermilk said.
In the 2023-2024 school year, drama held four plays and musicals: “Clue,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “The Little Mermaid.”
