MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School Theater is gearing up to open “Up the Down Staircase,” and if the cast and crew have anything to say about it, this is the week to show up, fill the seats and cheer loudly. 

Performances run March 13 at 7 p.m.; March 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; March 16 at 7 p.m.; and March 17 at 7 p.m. 

Director Sharon Winningham said the students are more than ready for an audience. 

“It’s time for an audience. We need an audience,” she said. “You’re supporting the arts, you’re supporting kids that are working really, really hard. This show is, to me, kind of a love letter to teachers.” 

The play follows Sylvia Barrett, an idealistic first‑year teacher in a tough New York City school in the 1960s. Senior Paisley Ashton, who plays Sylvia, said the story hits close to home for anyone who’s ever been a student – or taught one. 

“The play is based on the novel of the same name which became popular in the '60s,” Winningham said. “It is unique in its disjointed writing style, as it is made up of memos, detention slips, letters and suggestions from a suggestion box, yet it paints a whole picture of education in the U.S. – accurate even to this day in many ways.” 

Ashton said this is the type of show which makes you feel something. 

“Every character has multiple sides,” Ashton said. “It really describes not only the struggles teachers go through, but also the struggles teenagers themselves go through.” 

A cast who refused to quit 

The road to opening night wasn’t smooth. Less than two weeks before curtain, the production lost a lead actor and then a supporting character the next day. 

Winningham said the cast didn’t flinch. 

“I’m just so incredibly proud of their flexibility and professionalism,” she said. “We had to move kids, fill roles, fill those roles … and they just did it.” 

Stage manager Carolyn Frederick, who also stepped into an acting role, said the cast’s resilience has been inspiring. 

“It was rough for a minute, but we’re doing really well,” she said. “I’m really excited to see how this is going to open up.” 

Frederick said audiences have more power than they realize. 

“Being engaged makes us actors a lot less nervous,” she said. “You’re not there to judge us. You’re watching us. It means a lot when people come out.” 

Students find their voices 

Junior Ashton Rodriquez, who plays Joe Ferone, said the show’s emotional depth surprised him. 

“It kind of subverts itself as a comedy at the beginning, but underneath that layer is a whole bunch of serious tones,” he said. “Joe is hostile because he’s been hurt … he wants to be heard, but no one is listening.” 

Rodriquez said theater has changed the way he understands people. 

“Every character has their own motivations,” he said. “Understanding them helps you understand the people around you more.” 

Ashton said she’s grown up on this stage. 

“I used to be so scared to be on stage – my legs would quake,” she said. “Theater has taught me public speaking, connection, stepping into other people’s shoes. It’s impacted my daily life.” 

Costumes with a story

Costume designer Tana Richins, who has worked on more than a decade of MLHS productions, said the 1960s setting gave her plenty to play with. 

“If they didn’t have the costumes, it would just look like Moses Lake High School kids on stage,” she said. “It’s my job to help the audience visualize the scene.” 

Richins said she used color as a storytelling device – muted tones in tense scenes, vibrant colors as the story resolves. 

“I like to play little mind tricks with people,” she said. “There are little Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the show.”  

Why attend?  

Winningham said the production is a tribute to teachers – the ones who shaped her, and the ones shaping students now. 

“I remember every Helen Arbuzzi, every Joe Ferone, every Harry Kagan,” she wrote in her director’s note. “They are indelibly a part of my story.” 

She said a local sponsor funded a ticket for each cast member to give to a teacher of their choice.  

“I think this show will speak to those of us in education a lot,” she said. 

Ashton said the show’s message is universal. 

“Everybody has their mistakes and their flaws, but also the good parts of them,” she said. “They really shine through.” 

And Frederick said the cast feels the community’s support deeply. 

“If we could have more than 100 people come see us — it would feel loving,” she said. “It’s encouraging when people come to see us, a little local theater. It makes us feel appreciated.” 

Rodriquez kept it simple.  

“Come watch the show,” he said.  

CAST 

Paisley Ashton as Sylvia Barrett
Haley Dalton as Dr. Maxine Clarke
Adaline Cottrell as Beatrice Schachter
Nicholas Ealy as Paul Barringer
Allen Robinson as J.J. McHabe
Ella Noble as Ella Friedenberg
James Dekker as Frances Egan
Carolyn Fredrick as Charlotte Wolf
Haley Dalton as Ellen
Iven Ellestad as Samuel Bester
Shakala Jackson as Sadie Finch
Ashton Rodriquez as Joe Ferone
Julia Servin as Alice Blake
Porter Hansen as Lou Martin
Will Beck as Lennie Neumark
Seth Martinez as Charles Arrons
Mel Macomber as Francine Gardner
Harmonie Holm as Katherine Wolzow
Eve Fife as Vivian Paine
Witten Schmidt as Rusty O’Brien
Jazelle Gonzalez as Carole Blanca
Ethan Rodriguez as Jose Rodriguez
Oliver Beck as Harry Kagan
Javes Townsend as Edward Williams
Ash Cabiao as Jill Norris
Madeline Beck as Rachel Gordon
Chloe Schnelle as Elizabeth Ellis
Brie Seiler as Linda Rosen
Savannah Williams as Carrie Blaine
Izzy Harden as Helen Arbuzzi 

CREW 

Stage Manager: Carolyn Frederick
Technical Lead/Props: Madison Burress
Lighting Design: Emma Heinzen
Sound Design: Emma Diaz
Sound Tech: Jase Frederick
Makeup Artist/Hairstylist: Makenna Torgeson
Head Painter: Sena Loiseau
Spotlight Operators: Ashley Biery, William Bermudez
Stage Hands: Yeislyn Delgado, Luke Gronlund, Faith Kelly, Danny Sanchez‑Maciel 

Director: Sharon Winningham
Technical Director: Katie Miller
Costumes: Tana Richins
Assistant Director: Justice Duran 

    Students wreak havoc in the on-stage classroom as teacher Sylvia Barrett (Paisley Ashton) attempts to gain control and understanding of her students.
  

    Students wait, not so patiently, during their first day of school at Calvin Coolidge High School. From left to right are Alice Blake (Julia Servin), Jill Norris (Ash Cabiao) and Harry Kagan (Oliver Beck).
  

    During one scene, the 1960s students are asked to take their annual exam, with several students turning to their peers for assistance. Rachel Gordon (Madeline Beck), left, leans over to ask a question and Carole Blanca (Jazelle Gonzalez), right, begins to look for the answer.
  

    The Moses Lake High School Production of “Up the Down Staircase” opens Friday with shows throughout the weekend to Tuesday.
  

    Teacher Sylvia Barrett (Paisley Ashton) left, speaks with Dean of Discipline J.J. McCabe (Allen Robinson), middle, about student Joe Ferone’s behavior (Ashton Rodriquez), right.
  

    Vivian Paine (Eve Fife) twirls and tosses her hair Monday during a practice performance of “Up the Down Staircase.”
  

    Student Lou Martin (Porter Hansen) at Calvin Coolidge High School pesters teacher Sylvia Barrett (Paisley Ashton) as she attempts to take attendance.
  

    Teacher Paul Barringer (Nicholas Ealy) struts through the classroom.
  

    Lennie Neumark (Will Beck) works on his classwork during the Monday dress rehearsal of “Up the Down Staircase.”