The Troy Theater Ensemble performed the annual fall play on Nov. 16, 17 and 18 in the auditorium along with an in-school performance on Nov. 20. The play, titled “Picnic,” is a 1953 William Inge play set in a small town in Kansas on Labor Day.

As the first Troy ensemble to perform an Inge play in 30 years, the cast and crew prepared for weeks. Rehearsals were held three days a week and sometimes lasted for up to four hours. Some of the cast members stayed back to help the crew build the set until 9 p.m. Junior crew member Kailee Corr says that there was a lot of work in assembling the play, but that it was still a fun experience.

“[The crew] is so welcoming,” Corr said. “If you are looking for friends or if you are just looking for something to do after school, I would recommend crew. It doesn’t take up your full year.”

The crew consists of eight main groups: lights, sound, flies, costume, makeup, stage management, props and stage runners. Corr works for sound and says the crew worked hard for the show.

“Everyone who is in crew this round is excited [about the play],” Corr said.

The cast was selected by director and theatre teacher Rick Bodick. The cast played a diverse group of characters. Sophomore Sunny Gronstad played Rosemary Sydney, a devoted schoolteacher.

“The first time I read through the script, I noticed that the way she spoke and acted were familiar,” Gronstad said. “Then, I had a realization and I thought ‘Wow! This is just like my mom!’”

Before the show premiered, Gronstad said that she couldn’t wait to bring Rosemary to life on stage. Gronstad said that Rosemary was a very interesting character, but it wasn’t an easy part to play.

“It can be hard to keep up with [the changing of Rosemary’s moods] even though I knew the lines, but overall I loved playing her,” Gronstad said.

Bodick feels that the crew and cast this year were young but hardworking. The cast consisted of 12 students, and the crew had over 50 people. According to Bodick, most of the students were sophomores.

“The crew is important, the cast is important and the play itself is important,” Bodick said. “I wouldn’t say there is anything that is more important than the others. Without all the pieces, the whole thing falls apart.”

Bodick was thrilled to see the play come to life.

“The best part of the play is when it gets up on stage,” Bodick said. “It all comes together. Opening night, that was the best part for me.”