Ten little soldier boys went out to dine, one choked his little self and then there were nine. Eleven little high school students all had parts in the play, a hurricane hit them but they’re all here to stay.

Eleven students from WHBHS had parts in this year’s play, And Then There Were None. I spoke with Stephanie Fitt and Jack Vicari to see what it was like to be the only two left alive in this mystery by Agatha Christie.

Hurricane Eye: You played Phillip Lombard, the strapping young man who carries a gun with him at all times, what was your best experience from playing this part?

Jack Vicari: The best experience from playing Phillip was probably becoming the character offstage too. It’s fun being the cunning, smart, funny, wise-cracking guy.

Hurricane Eye: You played Vera Claythorne, the young woman accused of letting a boy drown, what was your best experience from playing this part?

Stephanie Fitt: I had never been in a dramatic role before and I really loved being able to use so much emotion. Vera was such an amazing role and I was able to put so much into it.

HE: When did you start acting and what inspired you to try it?

JV: I started acting when I was really young because I was in this camp thing for kids 4 to 10 years old, and I just loved it ever since.

HE: Why did you start acting?

SF: I was in the school musicals in middle school and then I realized I loved acting so, from there I took an acting class and was involved in almost all of the shows, on stage and backstage. I have always loved musicals and theater because my mom and dad would take my sisters and I into the city to see Broadway shows all the time.

HE: Who else was in the play with you?

JV: Stephanie Fitt, Reed Kneski, Ed Hennessey, Nick Auletti, Kat Fucigna, James Blydenburgh, Christie Moyle, Calvin Levine, Chris Durst, Patrick Osborne, and John Tocco briefly

HE: How much time goes in to producing the play?

SF: Well, it takes up a lot of time, the first few weeks of rehearsals they will go for a few hours every week day, then when you get closer to the show they get longer and longer and then they add on weekends. Then hell week comes (the week before the show) and that’s when you can be at rehearsal into all hours of the night, but it’s so much fun.

HE: So there is a lot of time that is put into the play, which means a lot of time spent with the same group of people, do you get really close with these people or is it like as soon as the play is over you just go your separate ways?

JV: Oh yeah for sure, I love each and every one of them. They’re all just such great people to work with, and I personally always like seeing new faces. We just become our own little family out there.

HE: The crew and the director were really helpful weren’t they?

SF: Of course! I loved our director Rosemary, she was so amazing to work with and the crew was so great; they were always on top of everything, they were really fantastic.

HE: For many students it is difficult to juggle schoolwork with extracurricular activities, how did you handle play rehearsal and schoolwork, along with any other activities that you participate in?

JV: Killing myself probably isn’t an acceptable answer to that question – working hard around the clock, getting stuff done in study hall and lunch, and asking for some assignments beforehand definitely helped.

HE: Well, for many students it is difficult to juggle schoolwork with extracurricular activities, how did you handle everything?

SF: It definitely wasn’t easy! On Mondays I have jazz choir from 7-8:30, Tuesdays I have piano lessons and chamber choir which goes from 7-9, Wednesdays I have singing lessons from 6-7, and on Thursdays I have a math tutor that comes for an hour. All this on top of 3 AP classes and homework and studying and coming home late every night didn’t help, but I love acting so much so I managed. I mean, not everyone has a crazy schedule like that but that was mine and I have done all that every year so I am used to it.

HE: So, if you had the chance to have a different part, who would you be, if you wanted to change at all?

JV: Wargrave for sure, being a villain would’ve been fun.

HE: So you mentioned your sisters earlier, do they do any acting like you?

SF: Well, my older sister is going to Syracuse University for Musical Education, she did a few shows while she was in high school but she is more musical rather than theater. My younger sister is only 9, but she does love going to the shows and she is really outgoing so I’m sure some day she will try out

HE: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

JV: I guess that I think that everyone should do the play or the musical because it’s just such a great experience to be part of a family aside from your own.