This fall, the ROHS Drama Club crafted a musical performance of “Matilda”. Although many students credit the amazing student actors and tech crews, this year, there is another group of students that cannot be forgotten: the pit orchestra.

This fall’s musical was the first time since Drama Club’s 2022 performance of “Chicago” to feature a pit orchestra made up of students. The musicians spent a total of three weeks preparing for the performance. For two weeks, they participated in two-hour rehearsals after school each day. During tech week, they spent four hours each day putting the music together with the actors and actresses. 

“At first it was really hard to get [the music] lined up, but after some practice, it was crazy how easily it started to blend,” said junior Gigi Boyajian.

Boyajian also explains that one of the main reasons she was interested in joining the pit was that she wanted to watch her friends in drama club as the show progressed, so she particularly enjoyed watching it all come together.

During the preparation and the production, the students built bonds with each other, which made the time after school even more enjoyable. The students even filmed and mic’d rehearsals that were later posted on Instagram to promote the show.

Senior Brady Collins, who previously played in the pit orchestra of professional musicians for “Mamma Mia”  was happy to being among peers.

“Before, I was putting a lot of pressure on myself because I was working with all these professionals, but this year I could enjoy myself more and was able to have fun with it,” he said.

All in all, “Matilda” was a major success and a lot of fun for all the students. Drama club is looking forward to utilizing another student pit the next time their show calls for it, and the returning students await the next performance they can be a part of. Regardless of what initially drew these students to join the pit, one thing is abundantly clear: not only did they help the musical come together, but it also brought them together.