After many months of deliberation, Enloe’s spring musical was announced Oct. 10 in the Enloe auditorium, ultimately revealed to be the contemporary musical, “Between the Lines.”
The musical is based on the book of the same title by New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult. “Between the Lines” follows 17-year-old Delilah as she finds herself in the pages and stories of her favorite book. Throughout both acts, she must decide whether she wants to confront her reality, or hide inside her fiction. The musical inspires empowerment, whimsy, and offers a new take on the fantastical teen romance genre as a whole.
Kristin Rendina, theater teacher of 16 years, is making her debut as Enloe’s musical director with this show.
Rendina describes the importance of her choice, “We have to look at the community,” she says, “The school, the community outside, and who comes to the shows. [It’s] not only what would they want to see, but … what do they need as well?”
Rendina stresses the importance of diversity in theater, “I love that there are students and people represented in the show that aren’t normally represented.”
“Between the Lines” explores many female perspectives. The musical’s main writers are mother daughter duo, Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer. Being written by women, it portrays views that have been too long shoved into the shadows. The musical focuses on the sensitive relationship between mother and daughter, while still slipping in jokes that appeal to universal girl experiences. Notably, “Between the Lines” includes a non-binary character, an identity rarely explored in media, let alone musical theater.
The selection of “Between the Lines” was not an easy choice. A top suggestion by the theater department upon Rendina’s arrival was “Shrek the Musical,” an idea she ultimately shot down.
“There’s just not a whole lot of creative potential as a director with ‘Shrek,’” Rendina says. “Everybody knows what’s coming … and kind of has really big expectations for that.”
The auditions for the Enloe Spring Musical are to take place in just under a month, beginning on the 12 of Dec, and running to the 13 of Dec. They will be held in room 607, and run from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. after school. Callbacks will be the 16 of the same month, same place and time.
On what she wants in actors for the auditions, Rendina says, “[You’re] gonna have to carry a tune, right? [However], If you can’t quite hit [a certain note], but you’re selling and you’re performing, they’re gonna forgive you for that.”
Rendina emphasizes the importance of actors that not only have talent, but are able to get along with their fellow actors and are willing to work hard.
“I always tell my students, you’re always auditioning and your reputation follows you,” Rendina says, “Be talented, but also have a good attitude and [be] fun to work with.”
“Between the Lines” will open on March 20, 2025, and run through to the 22 of March, at 7:00 p.m. every day, with an additional 2:00 p.m. show on the 22, in the Enloe auditorium.
