“These kids are so amazing, and I knew the minute that I saw them in auditions and the callbacks that we’d have a stellar cast,” JD Walter, the new head drama director at Roosevelt High School, told Iowa Public Radio.
The Des Moines theater department is attempting a massive technical undertaking with its fall production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, running from Nov. 12-15. More than 60 students are participating in the production, which includes 29 actors and a large technical crew tasked with recreating the magical world of Hogwarts on a high school stage.
The production is the Roosevelt Theatre department's most ambitious project to date. It also serves as the debut for Walter, who was hired as the head drama director in July and immediately began the process of securing licensing rights for the Tony Award-winning play.
Technical challenges in a historic auditorium
Bringing the time-jumping adventure to life requires more than just acting; it demands a sophisticated integration of light, sound, and physical effects. The school faces a unique architectural hurdle in its historic auditorium, which features a stage originally constructed in the early 1900s.
To bridge the gap between a century-old stage and a modern, high-concept script, students are leaning heavily on technical innovation.
“One of our unique challenges is working within Roosevelt’s historic auditorium — with a stage originally built in the early 1900s — to bring a production written for a very different theatrical era to life,” Walter told Iowa Public Radio.
The production relies on precise timing to simulate magic. Junior Timber Fiihr, serving as head of sound, manages audio cues that trigger when actors point their wands. Similarly, junior Saniyah Johnson, the head of lights, uses programming boards and specialized lighting, such as strobe lights and LEDs, to simulate the transition from the Muggle world to Platform 9¾.
The “magic department” also utilizes scientific principles to create visual spectacles. Sophomore Everleigh Septer, the head of magic, designed a cauldron that uses a combination of dry ice and hot water to produce fog, rigged with a remote-controlled fan to create the effect of an explosion.
A massive undertaking for student crews
The scale of the production has placed heavy pressure on the student leadership. For many, the responsibility is greater than in previous school plays.
Lillie McManus, a junior serving as the head of costumes, wigs, hair, and makeup, oversees a team of 11 assistants to outfit the 29 actors. Her role involves managing 12 different wigs and ensuring each of the dozen main characters maintains a distinct look.
“This show has been a little bit daunting for tech in general, and I think all of our lighting, sound and prop people deserve such praise for figuring out how to tackle this with such limited resources, because we’ve never done a show like this,” McManus told Iowa Public Radio.
The complexity of the show is also reflected in the workload for the stage management team. Dulce Miron-Lopez, the lead stage manager, is overseeing her eighth production at Roosevelt, noting that the technical requirements for this specific show are significantly higher than those of her previous experiences.
The commitment extends beyond the school day. Assistant Drama Director Ellie Coleman said that the “scrappy bunch” of students has frequently sacrificed afternoons and weekends to prepare for the performances.
Students and actors prepare for Wizarding World production
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Participants | More than 60 students |
| Acting Cast | 29 actors |
| Costume Team | Lillie McManus and 11 assistants |
The production follows the next generation of the Wizarding World, focusing on Albus, the son of Harry Potter, and his friendship with the son of Draco Malfoy. As the characters navigate their fathers’ legacies, the plot involves time travel and dangerous disruptions to the past.
Even the acting preparation has taken an unconventional route. Sophomore Jubal Vance, who plays Voldemort, said he and his cross country friends practiced their British accents while out running to prepare for their roles.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 12-14, with a 2:30 p.m. show on Nov. 15. Student tickets are priced at $10, while non-student tickets are $15.
“I always think of doing a show, stage management wise, as creating a little bubble on stage. And I love seeing what this bubble will become,” said Miron-Lopez.
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