Vocal Work
at McLean High School

Reviewed on May 8, 2021

Hayden Polsky
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Well, it seems like the world is finally opening back up. And with it, the theatre industry. Broadway has announced a reopening date, and, across the country, the arts are making a comeback. But what about school theatre? When can that come back? According to McLean High School, the answer is now. McLean recently put up a spectacular production of "Vocal Work," a short play written by Ed Monk. This production was produced in person (masked and socially distanced, of course). However, this entirely student-produced show worked around the remaining barriers that the coronavirus presents, and masterfully put on a thoroughly entertaining full-scale production

"Vocal Work" followed Annie (Chloe Lahr), a manager of a local recording studio, working on one of the most stressful days of the year. The play showed her as she dealt with incompetent employees, incorrect schedules, and bad actors. But through all of her frustration, the audience saw the journey she took from hating her job to realizing how lucky she was, and how much she loved the art she produced.

Not enough praise can be said about the cast of this show. Each actor presented well-rounded characters, characters they each have obviously worked hard on understanding. Lahr, the standout of the show, flaunted her expert acting skills in her natural portrayal of the frustration of her character. Another extraordinary performance was given by Lyssa Bass, as the timid new voice actor, Alex. Bass tackled the huge challenge of making it look like you are really bad, which required a really good actor. Bass fit the bill. Bass perfectly captured the qualities of someone who obviously didn't know what she was doing and gave an incredibly believable performance all around. Other standouts included Will Chapman as Phil, the cranky sound engineer, and Graham Cole as Peter, a voiceover actor with a very memorable gig.

No show is complete without a talented crew, and McLean High School outdid themselves. The set, designed and built by Vivian Kreeb, beautifully captured the essence and vibes of a small-town vocal studio. The detailed, cozy set wowed the audience as soon as the lights came up and brilliantly complimented the performances the actors were giving throughout. The actors' costumes, designed by Zara Kidwell, were equally amazing. While the costumes were simplistic in style, they were exactly what this show needed. Each costume rounded out the characters and made them so much more believable. One standout costume was Phil's outfit. It was obvious Kidwell put a lot of thought into this costume, as it looked exactly like what a sound engineer would wear - raggedy, yet charming. The costume was amazingly paired with Tracy Waagner's hair design, with Phil sporting hair that looked like it hadn't been cut since 2002.

Overall, this play was spectacular. All aspects perfectly complimented each other, and the actors were working together to put on a great show. The story was engaging and entertaining, and the production team obviously worked a long time to really figure out how to tell it. It was obvious the performers were incredibly happy to be on a stage together, doing what they love most after a year of not being able to. We obviously have a long way to go, but McLean High School has shown us all that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that we'll all be back in a theatre soon enough.

Kaitlin Molloy
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

They say doing what you love, never means working a day in your life - but is that really true? McLean High School's production of Vocal Work proves that passion does not exactly cancel out hardship, but perseverance through those hardships makes it all worthwhile.

Written by Ed Monk, the fast-paced comedy centers around frazzled sound studio director, Annie, as she navigates an increasingly chaotic day. Sometimes people have bad days: a missing schedule kind of day or an I-need-to-record-five-ads-by-tomorrow-or-I'm-fired' kind of day and unfortunately Annie is having one of both. Dealing with uncast ads, family issues, and a voice actor that can't quite nail the script, Annie is thrown curveball after curveball. With time running out, the cacophony of catastrophes leaves Annie to single-handedly record the ads before the sponsors check-in the next day.

The epitome of an on-the-edge manager, Chloe Lahr could not have been a more perfect actress to embody the nervous and multifaceted Annie. Wielding a flawless mastery of how to do an outburst, Lahr oscillated between emotional peaks and valleys with precision and realism, always capturing the true feeling of ever-stacking odds. Lahr's unparalleled expertise in creating a one-sided phone call is to be lauded, with practiced timing and overtly realistic reactions producing a complete conversation. Coupled with her outstanding command of character, Lahr's minor mannerisms completed her extraordinary performance, adding minute intricacies to the establishment of her character.

Proving a fantastic foil to Annie, the easy-going sound designer Phil (Will Chapman) followed the flow of the chaos. Observing the onslaught of commercials, casting calls, and failed attempts at reconciling the schedule, Chapman's poignant occupation in the booth completed the studio's working facade. Constantly busy, Chapman interacted with his surroundings and castmates with ease, providing laid-back banter. Chapman's constant involvement in the scene, be it dialogue or movement, consistently engaged the audience without distracting from the focus on stage.

Perfectly complimenting the pair, the slew of voice actors rounded out the busy studio. Serving as the comedic meat of the show, the outlandish commercials and their actors delivered outstanding performances, creating realistic working environments and relationships with the studio staff and one another. The ensemble's collective affinity for the deliberate and zany radio-style voice acting proved phenomenal, making adjustments with Annie's direction seamlessly. The ebb and flow of conversation between the vying Mattress Queens (Sanjna Kaul, Kaitlyn Whitsitt, Avery Versaw) not only produced a dynamic atmosphere amongst the studio regulars, but also moved key plot devices effortlessly, making small developments digestible for comprehension.

The intricate set (Vivian Kreeb) brilliantly served as both decorative and functional, inventively hiding microphones. The two-room set embodied the atmosphere of the busy recording studio, complete with a sound booth and recording foam forming checkered patterns in the recording space. A constantly swinging door plastered with band posters added to the flurry of activity in the studio, swinging in and out with entrances and exits. Incorporating a hybridized model of performance, both live and online performers made up the cast - the seamless integration of virtual actors with live ones never once distracting from the action.

Even in our favorite things we face obstacles, but it is in these hardships that we truly realize the full scope of our drive to perfect our passions. McLean's production of Vocal Work flawlessly encapsulates the joy resulting from dedicating ourselves to doing what we love, even if it requires a little perseverance.

Edie Obernberger
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

In a world often filled with stress, confusion, and the pressure to succeed, it is sometimes difficult to just take a breath and appreciate what we have in life; to widen our view and see the potential in every new challenge, change, or curveball the world throws our way. In a hilarious and grounded production of Vocal Work, McLean High School reminds us that, despite whatever hardships we face, our experiences and the people we meet along the way make this crazy life worth living.

A short play written by Ed Monk, Vocal Work takes place in a recording studio in chaos. Overlapping schedules, unexpected phone calls, inexperienced actors--everything seems to be going wrong! And one woman needs to take care of it all.

Running the vocal studio, Annie (Chloe Lahr) ran the show as well. With a constant demeanor of professionalism even while perfectly conveying her frustration, Lahr established an air of control over the studio all the way from her total use of the stage down to her purposeful walk. Her tone development throughout the show seamlessly followed her growing frustration, making it all the more genuine, and her talent in one-sided phone conversations made it easy to imagine the other person was present in the scene itself, a very impressive feat. Working with her the whole time was the sound engineer, Phil (Will Chapman). While not as controlling a presence, Chapman's constancy in small background gestures gave a refreshing reliability--at any point in the show, he was doing small movements and actions in the booth that furthered his character without taking away from the scene. That mellow constancy provided the perfect foil to Lahr's growing frustration, giving the whole show a more rounded and grounded feel.

Helping to bring the show together more literally were McClean's solid technical choices. The set (Vivian Kreeb), with fitting sound insulation, posters, and countless small touches, was perfectly fitted to the area of recording and truly felt like a sound studio, providing an immersive experience, and the clever interlocking flats allowed for a quick and seamless setup. There was also very effective and discreet microphone placement throughout, providing clear sound while looking natural and without disrupting the actors, and the hair and costuming (Tracy Wagner and Zara Kidwell) were amazing as well. Phil's long hair and bandana; shy Alex's sheep sweater; cool, controlled Ryan's leather jacket--all helped to establish character before the actor even talked, while not being flashy or distracting. All of McLean's technical aspects worked together beautifully to make the show genuine, immersive, and realistic, truly bringing the production to life.

From diarrhea and car ads to emotional phone calls, McLean's captivating production of Vocal Work helps us remember an important fact of life, often forgotten in the face of constant floods of work and responsibilities: no matter the stress or pressure we face, we can find hope and solace in the people, activities, and small things we truly love.

McKenzie Phelan
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Falls Church News Press

Annie might just be having the worst day of her life. With fifteen unscheduled actors in the lobby of her recording studio, a missing husband-slash-coworker, and a constant stream of personal phone calls, it'll be a miracle if she survives until the end of the day.

Vocal Work, a play by Ed Monk, was produced by McLean High School as a submission for the Virginia High School League - a one-act-play competition in which students must set up the stage, perform, and strike their set all within a given time limit. The story follows the aforementioned Annie, who must navigate the ups and downs of managing her recording studio, which specializes in radio ad slots.
The play was performed mostly in person, with virtual actors performing via Zoom and projected onto a screen hanging just over the stage. The performers have adapted the show somewhat in order to set it during the COVID-19 pandemic - outside of the obvious, like masks and social distancing, characters also carried around hand sanitizer, and took the time to disinfect equipment before using it. These small details called attention to the current state of the world, without distracting from the play as a whole.

The supporting cast of voice actors who filtered in and out of the studio all had their moments to shine. Standout performances included Avery Versaw as Meg, a young, idealistic (if not naive) performer who has yet to learn the pecking order of the acting world. From the moment she stepped onstage, Versaw captured the audience's hearts with her undeniable enthusiasm and all-too-relatable awkwardness as she attempted to fit in with the older actresses she admired. Also notable was Lyssa Bass in the role of Alex - a nineteen-year-old who might just be the worst voice actor to grace the halls of the recording studio. Her exaggeratedly stilted monotone was remarkably entertaining, and her interactions with her fellow performers offered plenty of endearing moments.
But at the heart of the show were Chloe Lahr and Will Chapman as Annie, the frazzled manager, and Phil, the laid-back sound guy. Lahr's performance had a constant air of frustration simmering under the surface, finally boiling over in a satisfying moment of catharsis as she let out her bottled-up feelings on the piles of decisions she'd been laboring under. Chapman, on the other hand, presented a perfect foil to Lahr's uptight, professional persona - his relaxed and comfortable state as Phil contrasted and highlighted the immense stress of Lahr's position.
The set of the performance (constructed by Vivian Kreeb) was relatively simple, considering that it had to be assembled in about two minutes onstage. Consisting of interlocking flats, set on wheels to allow for ease of movement, the scene's small details (such as a checkered dartboard and a door plastered with posters) brought a certain amount of personality to the stage.
McLean High School described the theme of their show as follows: "As long as we are doing something we love, the hardships are worth it." And these students certainly loved this production. With strong actors and a believable world, Vocal Work is a show one won't want to miss.

Cora Barr
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

This past year has proven to be a global struggle that has prevented us from being able to perform our favorite hobbies and activities the way we usually do. However, through their uplifting filmed production of "Vocal Work," McLean High School showed us that hardships that we are dealt cannot stop us from doing and enjoying our hobbies, even if it is not exactly how we expected it to go.

"Vocal Work" placed the audience in a sound studio that produced radio spots, on a day when things seemingly were not going as planned. A visibly distressed and frustrated studio owner handled a series of chaotic events, including a mixed up schedule and issues involving the casting and production of ads for mattresses, cars, and diarrhea medicine, and all on a tight schedule.

"Vocal Work" was captivating from the very beginning; the show opened with playwright Ed Monk's hilarious line "Diarrhea, it can ruin your day!" The line was brilliantly delivered by the voice actor Peter (Graham Cole) and was the perfect opening for a play full of silly twists. It was also a delight to get to witness the unexperienced voice actress Alex (Lyssa Bass) attempt to find her car saleswoman voice throughout the play, trying several wacky voices along the way.

Annie (Chloe Lahr) ran the vocal studio and attempted to manage her many negative feelings as the several unfavorable events unfolded around her. Lahr did an excellent job of conveying Annie's initial anxiety-filled and slightly uptight nature when she used a choppy speech pattern and stiff body language. However, we could see an obvious change of heart by Annie when Lahr effectively portrayed an easygoing studio owner towards the end of the play, after Annie realized that she shouldn't have let the unfortunate mishaps distract her from the fact that she truly had a passion for and found joy in her work.

The impressive technical elements of the play were made possible by the talented crew. The set pieces (by Vivian Kreeb) and costumes (by Zara Kidwell) were captivating and well selected, and the bold colors and patterns reflected the chaotic tone throughout the play. McLean's production of "Vocal Work" was filmed on a live stage, but the inclusion of virtual actors through a projected screen was a clever addition that was clean and well-rehearsed.

The camaraderie between the actors on stage was very apparent, and it was clear that the cast spent a great amount of time working together so that they were able to complement each other. The voice actors also did an exceptional job of channeling their inner talk show host personas. Their voices were realistic and engaging during scenes in which they were recording for an ad on the radio.

Although they have made life more challenging, the circumstances that have arisen this past year have allowed for a lot of us to discover new and creative ways of still getting to experience our interests and passions. The production process and message of McLean High School's "Vocal Work" are testimonies to the fact that having to overcome unfortunate hardships is worth it, as long as it means we can do what we love.

Lila York
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Picture this: you're driving down a long road with the wind in your hair. In front of you, you see a beautiful landscape filled with vibrant wildflowers and you can hear the birds chirping and...a radio ad about diarrhea? Following the hectic day of Annie in a sound studio, McLean High School's performance of Vocal Work was filled with jokes, slogans, and the strangest ads.

Vocal Work, written by Ed Monk, reveals just how busy a sound studio can get with a messed-up schedule. When Annie doesn't have her business partner and husband to help her, she struggles to cast a mattress ad, add the finishing touches to an interesting diarrhea ad, and listen to an awkward teenage girl attempt to sound sexy during a car commercial.

Waltzing through the door in a flurry of stress is Annie (Chloe Lahr). Either pacing across the room or leaning on her desk tensed up, Lahr gracefully depicted a frazzled boss. Lahr's crescendoed frustration throughout the performance added tension in the scene, eventually leading to her character's catharsis when she finally realizes that, while her job can be stressful, she loves fulfilling her passion. Contrasting with Annie's ball of stress well was Phil (Will Chapman). Remaining in the booth the majority of the performance, Chapman's depiction of the relaxed sound engineer added bits of comedy to the play. Moreover, Chapman always remained present in the scene, fiddling with items in the sound booth and truly placing the audience into the room of a studio.

Starting off the play with the stand-out word "diarrhea" was Peter (Graham Cole). Such an iconic line perfectly foreshadowed how Annie's day would go. Then, Annie gets a surprise visit from Alex (Lyssa Bass). When first reading the script, her blasé; tone added to the hilarity of Annie's awful day. Then, Bass' awkwardness when attempting to sound sexy when stating basic car facts was hysterical. When Katie (Sanjna Kaul), Emily (Kaitlyn Whitsitt), and Meg (Avery Versaw) enter the room to audition for a mattress commercial, the actress' relationships shone through. Versaw's depiction of a new and naïve voice actress contrasted nicely to Kaul's and Whitsitt's dynamic of experienced performers. All in all, each performer brought to life just how chaotic one workday can get.

However, such an amazing performance would have been incomplete if it were not for the phenomenal technical aspects. The set, designed and created by Vivian Kreeb, perfectly encapsulated a sound studio. Completed with colorful panels for the walls, with some overlapping from one set piece to the next to continue gracefully, as well as a sound booth for Phil to sit in, the set was excellently executed. Moreover, the small details in the set such as a hand sanitizer bottle and paper towels allowed the set and performance to feel more relatable. Another notable technical aspect was costumes, designed by Zara Kidwell. Throughout the play, each character wore a costume that captured their character's personality: with Annie wearing professional clothing and Alex wearing a sweater that came off as soon as she learned how to act for the car commercial, revealing her confidence boost.

All together, the cast and crew of Vocal Work reminded one of an important lesson: if you are following your passion the trials will always be worth it, no matter how chaotic your day is...or how strange the radio ads you hear are.