By: Fritz Schemel ’17

For most students, summer vacation will mean working, vacations, camp or academic summer programs. But for Staples Players, summer is no break as they rehearse for their summer show, “Working,” which they will perform July 20-23.
“The show is about an ensemble of workers, and we watch these people as they spend their day doing their jobs,” Remy Laifer ’17, Players co-President, said. “They say what they’re doing and they say what they wish they could’ve been doing and what’s impacted them to do what they are doing.”
Laifer is a member of the cast but will also be assisting in directing the production, which will entail helping younger cast members with their songs and monologues.
Jacob Leaf ’17 will also be an assistant director, as well as a cast member. He echoed Laifer on the meaning and substance of the show.
“It’s comprised of vignettes and monologues, small scenes and songs to represent working America,” Leaf said. “It gives a voice to people in everyday jobs.”
The music in the show was written by famous names, including James Taylor and Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the music for the broadway musical “Wicked.”
Rehearsals for the summer show are similar to those throughout the school year, however, the schedule is condensed to fit the shorter amount of time.
“It’s not that different except we have rehearsals early in the morning for longer,” Leaf said. “The entire process is shrunk down because we rehearse five days a week for longer and everyone can be there.”
Rehearsing in the summer also creates a tighter bond amongst the cast.
“Every time I’ve done the summer show it’s been such a blast,” Zoe Samuels ’17, who has been a cast member in past summer shows, said. “Rehearsals are usually just in the morningtime and it’s not stressful. You get closer than you usually would be because you have free time after the rehearsals to hang out.”
For graduating seniors of Staples, “Working” will be their final Players performance, which carries a special significance.
“The last show is going to be pretty difficult,” Laifer said. “It’s going to be a tear-jerker, but it’s going to be fun.”