Norwalk High School will present the show “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (High School Edition)” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15 and 16, in the NPAC.
“This is a really big production,” said Mrs. Beauchamp, the director of the play. “I don’t know that you guys have done a fall play that’s this big of a production.”
Tickets cost $10 and they can be purchased online or at the door.
Beauchamp said that she is super excited to see this play come to life.
“We have such a great group of students and I can just see it,” she said.
Beauchamp said that she loves Harry Potter, and when she saw that they had released a ““Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” (High School Edition)” and only a couple of schools were doing the production, she chose it right away.
“This production is brand new to high school edition,” Beauchamp said. “It just came out in 2024, so we’re one of some of the first high schools in Iowa – or one of some of the first high schools in the U.S. – to do this on stage, which is huge for us. So it’s an honor to get to do that, and the students have done a really, really great job bringing it to life.”
Beauchamp said that they are in a good spot for the performance this weekend.
“It’s full of so much fun and emotion and just that magical essence of Harry Potter,” she said. “Why wouldn’t you want to see it?”
(Izabella Duggan)
Eli Geisler, a senior at Norwalk High School, plays the role of Harry Potter in the play.
“It’s a good role to play,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of versatility there.”
Geisler said that he thinks that he and the rest of the cast members are ready for the play happening this week.
“Everyone has their lines down, and I think we are getting pretty far along,” he said.
Geisler said that he has some family members including his aunt that is coming from New York to watch his show.
He also said that when he is onstage, he doesn’t get a lot of stage fright.
“I don’t think I really get that nervous on stage,” he said. “ I think a lot of the practicing helps.”
Maddison Beehler, a senior at Norwalk High School, is in charge of the props in the play. She said that she’s confident with the play progress during rehearsals.
“I think it’s going really good,” she said. “A lot of people know what they’re doing, they’re confident in what they’re doing, which is big for us during rehearsal.”
Maddison said that the rehearsals are going very well and that they are almost done getting costumes and props set up.
“I think by the show night, we will all be full costume, full makeup, full props, all ready.” she said.
Maddison said that a lot of her family members and friends are going to see the show this weekend.
“I love when people come to see it because this is something we’ve been working on for a few months…” she said. “Once we have it completed and somebody gets to come to enjoy it and watch, it gives me a feeling of like excitement and pleasure because someone gets to enjoy what we’re doing.”
Maddison said that she would definitely recommend going to the play. She said it’s full of laughter and emotion and overall “it’s a magical play.”
(Izabella Duggan)
Katelyn Beehler, a senior at Norwalk High School, is the student director of the fall play. She helped hold auditions, picked roles, and helped cast members memorize their character lines and characteristics as well as helping with tech.
Katelyn said that she thinks that the show and the cast are going to do great this weekend. She also said that she has a lot of family members coming to see her during the show, like her sister and brother-in-law, grandma, her mom and dad, and more. She said she really enjoys it when people come to see the show.
“I was just actually just writing it on the white board in my Warrior Time’s room for people to come to the play,” she said.
Katelyn said that she is always excited when someone says that they are going to the play.
“Someone said that they loved Harry Potter and they wanted to come, and I was just like, ‘Yes,’ because it’s just so nice that someone’s gonna see all the work we’ve put in,” she said.
Katelyn said that people should definitely come and see the show.
“They should definitely come,” she said. “It’s like a really good show and there’s a lot of funny parts. And then there’s some serious stuff in there, but overall it’s just a good time and people will enjoy it.”
