Worland High School senior directs school play

WORLAND – Next week, Worland High School's drama team will be attending the state drama competition in Rock Springs.

One of the students attending this competition with a student directed play is theater veteran and high school senior Rachael Carver.

Carver will be competing State Drama in both performing and directing categories. She's the second student to direct a play after they recently became an event for state. Carver has been working on a student performance of "The Diary of Anne Frank."

Having been in theater since she was around 6 years old, Carver has been involved with the theater department of WHS all four years of her high school career.

"It's really fun and rewarding, but just a little stressful sometimes," Carver said. "However, just to see all of our hard work come together perfectly is worth everything."

She added, "I've always loved theater and would have to say this event just increased my interest for it because I truly got to see a play from all perspectives. Getting to bring it all together was amazing."

"When you act, your focus is on you and how you fit into the play, or what your character would have to do in a certain situation. But when you direct, you must think about everything: the costumes, props, actors and about a thousand other things. You think about how everything fits in and works together to create the play itself," Carver explained. "I always knew directing was hard, but never truly understood how much time and effort the director had to put into the play, and I think I have a whole new appreciation for it."

As a director, Carver's job oversees casting and getting the sets, costumes and props together. She's also in charge of blocking and getting everything together for the play.

"I guess I've always liked being in charge," Carver said. "But I think the best part of being the director was getting to put a little bit of me into the play. As for acting, I love jumping into the character and understanding how they think and act. I've always loved helping with plays and wanted to bring my own perspective to a play. I decided to pick a very talented and dedicated cast because I knew that they would put just as much time and effort in as I did."

"I might continue doing theater in college and maybe the occasional community play, but I don't know if theater is a career I want to pursue," Carver said. "I'm planning on going to college, and would like to study political science or criminology."

"[What I love about theater is that] I love that we are a family and that we will always be there for one another," Carver said. "Sadly, I will not get to direct any other plays before the school year ends. The only other play that the theater department will be doing is our spring show, but I do hope to be acting in it."

Carver will be going to state with her production of "The Diary of Anne Frank."