Behind the scenes: "A-Haunting We Will Go"

The Summit High School theater department is putting the final touches on this year's fall play. Managed by Jesse Wiono and starring Kyah Quam, "A-Haunting We Will Go" is sure to captivate its audiences come November.

Junior Satori Adnan rehearses a strangling scene. Photo by Sonnet Renoux

By Sonnet Renoux

Oct. 21, 2024

With Halloween just around the corner, the Summit High School theater department is elated to present "A-Haunting We Will Go" by Tim Kelly. This exciting, spooky, and unique comedy promises to captivate and mesmerize audiences.

Set in the eerie, rundown Inn of the Three Sisters, the play is filled with eccentric characters as they navigate the three-door farce, a type of play where actors are constantly traveling in and out of various entrances, and never leaving the stage empty.

The play follows Norma Corwin, a famous Hollywood television producer, as she returns to the inn of her childhood to fulfill the promise she made to herself when she was young: the promise to spend one night alone inside the Inn of the Three Sisters before it's demolished. However, things go horribly wrong when spontaneous murders and ghostly events begin to occur. While she works hard to solve the mystery that unfolds before her, she meets a peculiar medium to the beyond, and a variety of characters, including a psychotic nurse and two unassuming kidnappers.

The play is produced by music and theater teacher Caroline Hesford, and directed by Kelly and Matt Renoux. Mrs. Renoux was fortunate enough to be part of a different rendition of the play when she was a high school student.

“It is a fun, fast-paced, full of laughs script that gives the opportunity for several actors to really shine on stage,” she said, when asked about her excitement to bring the production to the stage once again. “I’m also obsessed with anything related to horror and haunted houses, so this was right in my wheelhouse!”

The cast comes together to rehearse lines and discuss the play. Photo by Sonnet Renoux

Although the audience only sees actors as they portray the story on stage, the sound, light, and stage teams have worked hard to make sure that the narrative flows come opening night.

Senior Spotlight: Jesse Wiono and Kyah Quam begin their fourth year as part of SHS’ theater department

Having been SHS’ stage manager for the last four years, senior Jesse Wiono has gained a lot of experience. Earlier this year, Wiono managed 100 people in a very successful rendition of "Beauty and the Beast."

Senior Jesse Wiono manages the play. Photo by Sonnet Renoux

“Being stage manager has helped me expand my knowledge in theater and other technical aspects,” he said, as he positively reflected on his experiences. 

Senior Kyah Quam, who played LeFou in "Beauty and the Beast," was cast as Norma Corwin. “I’m very excited about this show because it’s fun to see how far our theater department has come since I’ve been a freshman,” she said.

Senior Kyah Quam plays Norma Corwin in the play.

Behind the Scenes

Rehearsals begin with warm-ups and fight calls to prepare the actors for more dangerous scenes. Fight-calls allow actors to safely perform risky stunts, and not make any physical contact with other cast members while doing so. "A-Haunting We Will Go" is filled with exciting scenes involving hangings, falls, and seances.

A “safe” noose was constructed by Mr. and Mrs. Renoux for the SHS cast to use in the play. A rope, which forms a loop and is connected via paper towel roll, makes it so that it can be loosened (or tightened) by the actor being “strangled.”

Fight calls have allowed the SHS cast to perform dangerous stunts safely. Photo by Sonnet Renoux

Seances are also performed during the play. The French word describes the act of attempting to engage with the dead through some medium.

Mr. Renoux exclaimed, “If you’re looking for a fun way to spend an evening or afternoon, 'A-Haunting We Will Go' is the perfect blend of crazy, comedy, and fast-moving entertainment that keeps you on the edge of your seat till the mystery of the Inn is solved!” 

Tickets

The play will be on for four performances from Friday, Nov. 8 to Sunday, Nov. 10.

Tickets are $25 for a reserved seat package, $15 for adults, and $10 for students. Buy them online to ensure availability! https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/summit-high-school1/66c6c9892457170e47d95db4/