When walking into Hickman at 9 p.m., one would expect to see the building empty. Clubs have ended, teachers have wrapped up their work and most sports have finished up their practices. However, a trip into the theater would present just the opposite. Under bright lights and in front of intricate set designs, Hickman theater is preparing for the fall musical: Mamma Mia. Staying after school for hours on end is no easy feat, but Hickman theater has come together to do it in style; building community and a successful production as they go.

“We just continue to repeat, repeat, repeat,” Coley Alter, a sophomore and featured dancer of the musical, said.

Practices every day lasting until as late as 9:30 p.m. on some nights means losing out on time to attend to other important activities. These long hours show the dedication that each member of Hickman theater has, and it shows a common connection between members of the group.

“No one likes getting home late, and no one likes staying up super late to do their homework, but we all are,” Ryland Pescaglia, a junior playing Sky, the romantic interest in Mamma Mia, said.

While the practices run long, the members of Hickman theater put no time to waste, and make every minute count.

“It’s a lot of work… rehearsals, making the set, making the costumes, choreography, the lighting, you have to make the sound. It’s lots of practice,” Dzejlana Dervisevic, one of the show’s publicity officers, said.

But this hard work is accompanied by lots of fun. The combination of the two is what makes Hickman Theater the strong community that it is today.

“The family aspect is so kind. It’s really just filled my heart,” Coley said. “I’m doing a whole [lot] more work and helping a lot more people. It makes me happy.”

The strong community that the Hickman theater possesses is made possible in large part by the leaders who step up to take care of fellow members. This challenge has been new for Ryland this year.

“The hardest part has been trying to help some of the people struggling with the show,” Ryland said, “As an upperclassman, I feel like it’s my duty to help the underclassmen, and that’s a new role for me as a new junior… I’ve been trying to be there for them.”

The hours behind the Mamma Mia production will come together this week, as the musical debuts starting Thursday, with productions until Saturday, Mamma Mia is a such a timely musical full of bright sets, intricate costumes and classic ABBA songs, and considering the work that Hickman theater has put in, it is sure to be a strong production. 

“You’re gonna be dancing, you’re gonna be singing. Trust me, you’re gonna love it,” Coley said.