By Aryan Rai ‘27
The Conestoga Valley High School drama department is preparing for their fall play, Around the World in 80 Days, set to be performed Nov. 12-15.
The play is about Phileas Fogg, a wealthy man who is challenged to travel around the world in 80 days. Fogg is accompanied by his servant, Passepartout. Detective Fix follows Fogg throughout his journey, suspecting him of robbing the Bank of England.
Auditions have closed and the cast list has been released. The drama department posted the cast on its Instagram on Sept. 3.
Senior Eva Bandy, who has been in the drama department since her sophomore year, said, “I think the current play, Around the World in 80 Days, is funny and the cast is great. I am excited to be part of the costume crew again this year.”
Costume designer Jane Geiger, explained her process of designing costumes: “I read through the script. I look at the era so it is historically accurate. I also have to figure out the color theme for the show to read.”
The drama department’s first meeting was held on Sept. 8 at the Conestoga Valley High School auditorium. The cast and crew did an icebreaker, then they gathered to read the script together.
In the first script reading, a character called someone a “Wild Indian” and then shot them. This line was later changed to “armed prosecutor” by the staff because of concerns about the original wording and its reference to people from India.
The rehearsals for the play started on Sept. 14. At first the costume, backstage, and tech crews had few tasks to do. Now that the play is starting soon they have become more involved.
Sophomore Joseph Le, a member of the cast since his freshman year shares his journey into theater, “My brother got me into theater… Before that I had no idea what it was. Now that I’m actually in theater, it really feels like home.”
Purchase your tickets to see the fall play on Nov. 12-15. Tickets for the show can be found on the drama department’s Instagram.