To get everyone ready for the high school’s play production of Pride and Prejudice, I interviewed the director, Mr. Rose.

Interviewer: This is your third play with CCDS. How do you feel, knowing what to expect this time around, compared to your first time directing a play with us?

Mr. Rose: This time around, I definitely know what the space is capable of. It’s not so much the artistic side as the business side. With Clue, we had people coming in 20 minutes late. But in Working, we solved that and put someone out there. It’s just time management and little things like that. I haven’t even seen some of my actors yet. They’re working 3 days max. So it’s not a lot of time outside of school, but I’ve learned how to manage their time and my time as well. I’m getting better; I’m not perfect, but I’m getting better.

Interviewer: Pride and Prejudice is a classic story. Are you a fan of the original yourself?

Mr. Rose: She’s an acquired style. I know how a teenager wouldn’t easily respond to that style. This version condenses it down in a way that captures what Jane was trying to do but also tells it in a way that a modern ear can appreciate. I do like it myself. I like her writing style, but I also know I’m at an age where I’ve grown into it. I think classics are hard to teach to young audiences, but now I can pick them up and enjoy them.

Interviewer: What’s the most exciting part of Pride and Prejudice for you?

Mr. Rose: Well, this version of Pride and Prejudice is not your PBS version. It’s a hot take on it as Dr. Shaull said. I like it because it stays true to the story, but has fun with it. About the true story, I like that Darcy changes, and it’s really just one of the first rom-coms and I love that. I like all the big characters.

Interviewer: What is one creative liberty you’re taking either in the script, costumes, or characters to make it our own?

Mr. Rose: The show was originally written for 8 actors playing all the roles. We decided just to do a little modern twist too. The poster is classic, but Pride and Prejudice is spray painted on. The ladies will be wearing dresses with a modern cut and the guys jeans.

Interviewer: We all know it’s nerve-wracking being on stage performing and being responsible for a big tech portion of a show. As the director, do you get nervous when the show is going on?

Mr. Rose: I never sit in the audience during a show. I always sit in the light booth. I have a phobia of sitting in the audience. My favorite show is Ted Lasso now. In one episode, he explains the difference between a football and a soccer coach. In football, the coach talks about plays and what to do. In soccer, the coach just lets them go. I’m not nervous about the kids messing up, I just don’t want to sit next to someone unwrapping their candy wrapper. My nervousness is about wanting them to have the best experience possible, and the audience as well.

Interviewer: What is one word of advice you have for everyone in the cast and crew?

Mr. Rose: One word? Believe. And I think that counts for everything that anybody tries. Anything you want to try to do, you have to believe, and you can do it. More often than not we let our insecurities control us. If we can actually believe we can do it, it’s gonna be great.

Interviewer: What is one thing you’d like to tell the rest of the Country Day community about the play?

Mr. Rose: This ain’t your grandma’s Jane Austen. It really isn’t. The show is not so frilly. It’s really not. There are double-entendre jokes and most people who really love Jane Austen would come watch the show and be like “oh my god!” If you’re willing to have fun with the story, come, you’ll have a great time. I think this is a great way to introduce people to Austen. It’s just a fun way of looking at it.

To everyone reading, please stop by to watch at least one of the Upper School performances on the 26th, 27th, or 29th! They’ve been working extremely hard, so let’s support them. Go Nighthawks!