Since December, student actors and directors—with the help of Milford Theatre Company (MTC) Theatre Director Megan Weeks—have rehearsed and studied for the performance of an original horror film parody, The Werewolf’s Curse. MTC will present the comedy on Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at http://mhsvmp.thundertix.com/ for $9 for adults and $7 for students, seniors, and children under 12. Also, tickets will be available at the door for an additional $2.

The Werewolf’s Curse, taking place in the 1930’s, follows the story of Harry Pate, an all-American male figure played by Junior Shaun Richardson. Harry faces conflict when he is traumatically bitten by a werewolf cub.  Consequently, he seeks assistance from Dr. Einstein, depicted by Junior Jack Prey, in hopes that the doctor will help him overcome the werewolf’s curse.

“Dr.  Einstein, however, has other plans,” Weeks stated.

Harry’s girlfriend, Etta Greenleaf, introduces a comical irony to the play. Etta, played by Senior Lauren Aquilina, is a ditsy vegetarian whom Harry infuriates when he begins to eat meat once under the werewolf’s curse.

This play vastly differs from last year’s winter drama, The Diary of Anne Frank.

“We haven’t done a comedy like this in several years,” Weeks said. “It was time to do something lighter with a bigger cast.”

While The Diary of Anne Frank included a poignant plot and a serious tone, The Werewolf’s Curse is more light-hearted.

“It’s a true slapstick comedy,” Weeks mentioned. “While Anne Frank was deep and emotional, this one is good for the whole family.”

To better understand the nature of horror films, students involved in the production viewed various movies such as “Dracula,” “Frankenstein,” and “The Wolf Man.” These movies are the main victims of the play’s scrutiny.

The comedy could never be executed without the help that takes place behind the scenes.

“Directing [a comedy] is important because you need to make sure everyone has their timing right,” Student Stage Director and Manager Ashley Reed said. “Something can easily become unfunny if the timing is off.”

Student stage directors help the cast stay in character and implement the performance as well as possible.

“I like watching characters develop,” Reed stated. “Watching people do what they love is a cool thing.”

The cast of The Werewolf’s Curse features a wide range of acting ability.

“About a third of them are brand new [and] about a third of them are very experienced,” Weeks said. “It’s a nice mix of little to a ton of experience.”

Acting ability is not the only factor that influences Weeks’s decision during auditions.

“For this play, I looked for their willingness to step out of the box and take risks, timing, and work ethic,” Weeks explained.

The cast’s unique range of ability results in a closer dynamic between students as they work to improve not only their personal acting skills, but that of others as well.

“[This cast] is really interesting because the people who have more experience help the people who have less experience,” Aquilina said.

Aquilina had never before been in a drama and her onstage experience was limited to involvement in Choraleers and musicals.

“This is the first time I haven’t been singing and dancing while on stage,” Aquilina stated.

The opportunity to learn from other cast members has similarly affected Richardson.

“There are people who have done 6 or 7 shows,”Richardson said. “They know what they’re doing so it’s made it better for me as a newbie.”

Richardson is fairly new to acting, as he has only participated in one MTC play in the past. However, in his previous performance in Honk, Richardson played a minor character whose only line was “Cock-a-doodle-doo!” As the lead role in The Werewolf’s Curse, Richardson has had to adjust to diligently learning several lines and conveying the protagonist’s character.

“I was really intimidated at the beginning,”Richardson said, “[but] as rehearsals progress, it’s getting a lot better.”

For many of the student actors, participating in a comedy is more difficult than any other drama.

“There’s a special way that comedy is portrayed,” Richardson explained. “It takes exact characterization for it to be perfect.”

The dry and ironic humor in this comedy is particularly difficult to convey for many MTC students.

“You have to make sure you’re really serious all the time,” Aquilina affirmed. “Otherwise, it’s not funny.”

Though MTC students must work meticulously on rehearsal and preparation for the production, they find time to bond with one another.

“[The winter drama is] always a small cast,”Richardson said. “We’re all really good friends [and] when we get into character, the dynamic is even better.

The opportunity to delve into the realm of fine arts through MTC productions is priceless to many students.

“[Theatre is] a great outlet,”Richardson said. “It’s a unique experience. I’m glad I did it.”