By Annie Goodykoontz
Imagine directing a play at 17 years old.
Grace Fraser, a senior at Tempe Prep, is doing just that. She is directing Misery, a play based on Stephen King’s novel. The book is about Paul Sheldon, a famous author who gets in a serious car wreck. He is saved by his “biggest fan,” Annie Wilkes. Annie brings Paul home to help him recuperate. Little does Paul know that he is getting a one-way ticket to his biggest nightmare.
“I would love to say more, and I am sure many people are already familiar with the plot,” Grace says, “but I encourage everyone to see the play to find out what happens!”
Directing has been a life-long ambition for Grace.
“Ever since I started acting in theatre, I knew that I wanted to be a director at some point,” she says. “I was very attracted to the idea of having a vision for a story and making it happen through collaboration with the actors and designing sets, costumes, and sounds. I am also a bit of a perfectionist and enjoy being the organizer of things, which just made being a director more of a natural fit.”
Grace has worked various jobs in theater and acted for a long time, so directing was a natural progression.
“I had been serving as assistant director and costume designer to Mr. Sanderson for our production of The Secret Garden,” she says. “After seeing how much I enjoyed doing those jobs, he told me he would support me if I wanted to direct my own student production. I jumped at the opportunity and I immediately began work finding a play to do and a cast to match it. The rest is history!”
Rochelle Lilly stars as Annie, while Elijah Rusev plays Paul.
Grace hopes the play will have an impact on TPA drama.
“While I cannot say for sure how this production will affect theatre and fine arts at TPA, I have high hopes for the future of student-led activities,” she says. “I really want this production to show that, despite TPA’s size, if a student wants to do something, it is always possible.”
She found support in the TPA community, Grace says.
“At TPA we have a wealth of support through our teachers, parents and administrators that if a student truly wants to take leadership and make something happen, it will happen,” she says. “If there is a student out there who really wants to direct their own play or compose their own music or start their own art gallery, know that TPA’s fine arts department will support you in that endeavor.”
Misery will be performed on Oct. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Zelman Center. Admission is free.