Video: IAHS Indian Players Go ‘Into The Woods’

FULTON, MISS. (WCBI) – While their classmates enjoyed a holiday for “President’s Day”, the 50 cast and crew of the IAHS Itawamba Indian Players, were going through one more dress rehearsal.

This year, the Indian Players are performing “Into The Woods.” the Stepen Sondheim musical brings several Brothers Grimm and other fairy tale characters together, in a story with many twists, turns and lots of music.

“It’s very fast, beats and random notes you have to hit at a random time,” said Erin Stanphell, who plays the witch. This is her seventh production with the Indian Players.

As director of the play, Victoria Blake makes sure everyone knows his or her part. She also coordinates all the other tasks that participants tackle.

“They clean bathrooms, they clean dressing rooms, we vacuum, we clean outside, we have to do everything to bring this together for the community,” Blake said.

For more than 20 years now, the Indian Players have staged musicals and plays at the old Grammar School. In fact, over the years, proceeds from the performances have helped pay for renovations, and upgrades, such as a new sound system.

Students say it’s exciting to know that their hard work not only brings quality productions to the area, but also helps their hometown.

“It’s really entertaining, it is a long play, a lot of music but I think a lot of people will like it, there’s not a lot of dull spots, they will be entertained from start to finish,” said Noah Locastro, who plays “Jack.”

“It’s different than any play we’ve ever done,it’s a lot more intense, with how hard we’ve had to work on it and things we have had to do, like the music , and set and everything has been difficult,” said Sara Grace Boggs, who plays “Little Red Riding Hood”

“This is a great group of people and I think it’s going to be awesome for the community to see what a group of high schoolers are actually capable of doing,” said Katie Stanley, who plays “Cinderella.”

“Into the Woods” runs through Sunday.

Friday and Saturday evening, the production starts at 7, and there is a 2 pm show Sunday afternoon.  Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students.