The story of a high school cheerleader dealing with grief and healing in Be Aggressive offers an insightful look at family dynamics, resilience and the need for escape.
This dramatic comedy, written by Annie Weisman, takes place in the sunny community of Vista Del Sol in southern California.
The story focuses on Laura, a cheerleader, as she deals with the fallout from losing her mother in a car crash. As her father Phil struggles with the loss, Laura is left to look after her sister Hannah, who is eleven years old.
Laura takes the risky choice of escaping to a cheer camp across the country with her squad mate Leslie after discovering that her family and way of life are dysfunctional.
“Be Aggressive” explores themes of rage, fear, loneliness, and eventually healing through humorous satire and an engaging cheerleading routine.
The play is a reminder to viewers that resilience is the ability to get up after falling and carry on with one’s life.
These important themes were not far from the minds of the brilliant performers who excelled in telling this story.
Catherine DeVincenzi who played the role of Laura, reflected that she hopes audiences learn the importance of slowing down, taking breaks for self-care, and cherishing moments for healing and recovery.
Payton Wolff (Leslie) shared that her favorite moment in the show is the significant character shifts for both Leslie and Laura.
She wants viewers to experience a range of emotions and empathize with the characters’ different ways of coping with grief.
Mason Cole played Donnie Davenport and cheer chorus. He connected deeply with his characters, seeing them as representations of people focused on superficial concerns.
He hopes the audience leaves with a greater appreciation for their communities and a more open heart towards others.
Be Aggressive succeeded at affecting a balance between powerful emotional moments, and hopeful, humorous touches.
Every performer gave an effective performance that provided their characters depth and truthfulness. You can sense the performers’ message from the characters.
This story is not just about Laura; it also connects with our own journeys as well.
“Be Aggressive” is an interesting production that blends humor, heart and emotions. From its funny look at grief to its upbeat cheerleading routines, the play shows a crucial point about community and resilience.
The cast of “Be Aggressive” rehearsed for five weeks in collaboration with the OCU Competitive Cheer Team and the OCU Athletics Department. Coby Mackin, Alicia Bailey, Corey Bray, Lily Hogge and Connor Percifield were thanked for their contributions in helping form an authentic cheer squad for the production.
The show was performed from February 29 to March 3, 2024 in the Black Box Theater, creating a memorable impact thanks to the talents of its cast and crew, especially dedicated student director, Lauren Harrison.
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