Rancho Cucamonga High School’s drama department performed the just-off-broadway play production of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Thursday, Oct. 24 through Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Cougar Auditorium.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is a play written by Jack Thorn with a plot that takes place 19 years after the final book, “Harry Potter and the Deadly Shadows.”
In the play, Albus Severus Potter, the son of Harry Potter and Ginny Potter, goes to Hogwarts and gets sorted into Slytherin. Albus forms a resentment towards his father, Harry, who is now the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Senior, Sophia Garcia-Lopez, who played the main character, Albus Severus Potter in the Gryffindor cast, shared her thoughts about playing the character.
“My favorite part about the play is getting to build a connection with everyone around me like every single person has put some much dedication and time into this show,” Garcia-Lopez said. “It’s amazing to see it come together; like from the set to the props to the costumes to even how the actors devoted themselves it’s just really beautiful to see.”
Garcia-Lopez also shared a funny moment that happened on stage.
“I was very, very confused about this one scene because I didn’t go in the way that I did. My pants did not scratch far enough for more so I was like, ‘You know, it’s the last show if I break my arm, I break my arm’ so I just put myself out there.”
Junior, Mimo Jackson worked behind the scenes in the tech department. Jackson also shared behind-the-scenes memories.
“I was very excited about performing the show because moving backstage when the lights are out was always so fun more me and my friends.”
Jackson continued with another memory.
“My favorite moment of the show was the staircase scene the music and the set and the lights, all of it coming together to make that happen was magical.”.
Mr. James Loudermilk, RCHS drama teacher and the play director, also shared his pride for his students.
“I loved seeing all of the new people [students] come into this production; some students that were in tech before, auditioning for acting roles made me so happy,” Loudermilk said “This is a story that I love, and seeing the students perform this just made my heart so big and me so proud of my students.”
It wasn’t just the cast and tech crew that had fun during the play. It was also RCHS staff that saw the magic happen. RCHS Paraeducator Ms. Celeste Boyd also shared her thoughts on the play.
“I love them, the cast and tech crew were intricate with the details and it made you feel like you were there.”
Boyd also shared her favorite part of the play.
“It sounded kinda weird, but the very beginning when it was all dark and the train sounds were on. Something about that I liked.”
Another staff member, Ms. Kelly Quantstrom attended the play. She shared her favorite memories from the play.
“The characters were well-developed and interesting. I was also impressed with the natural British accents they held throughout the play!,” Quanstrom said. “The crew did a great job with the set and lighting to emphasize the magic. My favorite part of the play is when Scorpius, Albus, and Delphi drink the potion and turn into other characters. It was visually interesting, funny, and a little creepy!
RCHS’s first drama department production was a big hit with the audience and the people who performed the play.
