Article Text
Westfield High School senior Sean Salas stepped out of the percussion section and into the conductor’s role when the school’s theater program decided to bring a live orchestra to its spring musical.
After theater arts teacher Christine Maxted proposed live accompaniment, Salas organized musician auditions, refined the score and developed rehearsal schedules for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music.
The marching band percussionist was ready when the production opened Thursday. Salas plans to study music at Shenandoah University in the fall.
“It was a lot to take on, but he was calmer than I was,” Maxted said. “He was ready to go — and he was excellent.”
Senior Annabelle DuBard also made a major contribution behind the scenes, hand-stitching many of the production’s costumes. Her work included the well-known playsuits worn by the Von Trapp children.
Echoing Maria’s resourcefulness in the film, DuBard even found drapes to use for the costumes.
Three additional performances were scheduled for the weekend.