Kennedy Drama began this year with something new for their fall show. Not only was it a musical, differing from the typical fall play, but the show itself was unique, interesting and unlike anything you had seen before from the school.
The Anxiety Project is an emotional musical written by Kennedy Alum, Rachel Dean. The musical follows a college student doing a research project on various patients with mental illnesses such as social anxiety and borderline personality disorder. Its purpose was to bring light to mental disorders and how people can live with them. All of the stories in The Anxiety Project are true stories shared with Dean.
“Its unique and not a happy show,” cast member, Sam Larson said. “It tells real stories people go through on a daily basis and I think that’s what makes the story beautiful.”
Topics in the show can be triggering as the musical depicts acts of self-harm, relationship violence and school violence.
Lead actor, Cael Cummins wants people to understand the true meaning behind the story.
“This isn’t a very silly show. It has real people and real issues we face in our lives. My hope is for people to see these struggles portrayed on stage and understand that, for some people. This isn’t a theatre performance,” Cummins said.
The cast was limited with 13 members, including a special appearance from directors Nick Hayes and Steven Tolly.
“It’s a show with 12 students,” Larson said. “That’s the smallest cast I have ever worked with.”
The reason for this small cast could be the negative thoughts surrounding the musical. Students believed the topics were too raw or triggering for a high school student, leading to apprehension to sign up.
Even with this initial impression, Kennedy Drama put on an amazing show. The cast was able to portray emotions perfectly with most actors were playing multiple roles
Not only was the cast perfect for the show, so was the crew. Fast set changes were performed expertly with fantastic lighting and sound systems.
“I love the whole cast and crew with my whole heart,” Cummins said. “They’ve been just a joy to work with and I wouldn’t change anything for the world.”
Despite an amazing show, the musical came after a threat on the Cedar Rapids Community School District, so the atmosphere in the theater changed after a scene depicted a school shooting.
Seeing as the show is set up with many small stories, taking the scene out would not have ruined the show. Having a scene depicting the violence people were threatening in our own community just days prior, shows a lack of empathy on the director’s part.
Excluding that specific scene, the show was phenomenal. The cast had great energy and sent the audience home with a good message on mental health.
“There are moments I guarantee will make the audience feel icky, or uncomfortable,” Larson said. “But I think it’s important to face that and bring light to it.”
The play was very meaningful especially to high school students as we have a higher rate of mental health issues. Being educated on these topics and how to deal with them makes us stronger.
“If there is one thing I want to tell everyone, it’s that you are not alone,” Cummins said. “You are valued, you are loved, and you are special. Living can be hard and even feel impossible, but hard times shall pass. Please, don’t be afraid to reach out if you feel you need help, and don’t hesitate to offer help to those you think might need it.”
