With less than a week until opening night of Middleton High School’s (MHS) winter play, “The Little Prince,” excitement is high among theatre students. This one-of-a-kind production will provide them with new lessons and experiences up until their final bows. But behind the scenes, the cast and crew have worked incredibly hard for this moment..

“The Little Prince,” based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s 1943 children’s novella of the same title, tells the story of a boy who makes his way to earth and meets an aviator who is stranded in the desert with his plane. The Little Prince tells The Aviator about his travels across the universe in search of a sheep to eat his tiny planet’s baobabs. 

Along the way, he recounts his experiences with characters of very different backgrounds, including an ambitious businessman, a dutiful lamplighter and a proud king. Each character teaches him a lesson, and as The Little Prince and The Aviator grow closer, they learn from each other about the importance of creativity and curiosity.

After seeing many talented students display their potential during auditions, MHS Theatre Director Katrina Brunner decided to double cast the show, something she has never done at MHS. A double-cast production has two actors per role who each perform in half of the shows. Though counterparts are separated during the performances, some rehearsals combine the two casts so that actors can observe their peers and feel more connected to the same project. 

“I think that there are positives and negatives of having two casts,” said Ava Greenberg, a sophomore and member of the play’s hair and makeup crew. “[As a positive,] there’s a support system for the younger kids who haven’t been in a show before and have to learn a lot of lines.”

Greenberg also mentioned that one challenge with double casting has been the added work the production crew needs to do when planning for more individuals.

Despite this obstacle, “The Little Prince” has so far inspired MHS students to continue their involvement with the theatre program.

For example, Greenberg reflected on her role, saying she “will definitely be doing hair and makeup again in the future.”

Freshman Isaac Freiberg agrees that joining the community has been a great experience. “I like getting back into acting; it’s been a while since I’ve done a production,” Freiberg said.

Gaining more participants has been enjoyable for those who have prior experience as well. “There’s a bunch of new people in this production, too, so it’s nice to see people joining theatre,” said the stage manager of “The Little Prince,” junior Aadhi Balasubramanian. 

During rehearsals, students come to appreciate every detail of the show. “I’m amazing. My part is amazing. The whole thing is amazing,” freshman Alex Everson, who plays the aptly-named Conceited Man, said.

Cast and crew members have also reflected on the privilege of sharing such a unique story. “The Little Prince” is brimming with insight on being open-minded, embracing one’s inner child and questioning what is important in the world.

Madge Hayward, a sophomore, appreciates the caricatural expression of each over-the-top character. “They would never be real people, but that’s the fun of it,” she said.

One of the most impressive aspects of “The Little Prince” is the immaculate design of each stage crew component. Set pieces made up of simple household items can help build up the setting on several planets with help from the run crew and cast ensemble. Much of this is made possible by the coordination and leadership of Performing Arts Center (PAC) director Jonathan Hagberg.

Even during a performance, students are careful timing the actions that keep the show running smoothly. Balasubramanian said that “every time you see a light shift, or a sound or projection cue, that’s me yelling through the headset.”

“I’m grateful for all the support I’ve gotten from Jonathan and Ms. Brunner,” said sophomore Tori Felten, first-time lighting designer of “The Little Prince.”

MHS Theatre is simultaneously holding an Art Share for children ages five through twelve to submit a drawing, painting or other creative piece. All submissions will be featured in the PAC lobby during the performances. The theme, in reference to The Fox’s wise words, is “what your heart sees.” Youth interested in contributing to the share can find more information on the MHS Theatre website.

During performances at the end of this week and into this weekend, MHS Theatre is sure to leave a spark of imagination in children and grown-ups alike. With whimsically starry lighting, talented actors and ingenuitive design, “The Little Prince” will not be a show to miss. Tickets for the play are available for purchase at the MHS Theatre website and the dates are as follows:

Thursday, February 1 at 7:00 PM: Rose Cast
Friday, February 2 at 7:00 PM: Fox Cast
Saturday, February 3 at 12:00 PM: Rose Cast
Saturday, February 3 at 3:00 PM: Fox Cast