For many casual fans, musicals may seem like just another form of entertainment, a blend of songs, scripts, and bright stage lights. But often behind the curtain lies something much deeper – relentless passion, talent, and teamwork. Behind the scenes of NHS’s fall production “School of Rock” where music meets pure energy, and one cast member, senior Matthew Hunt, is taking center stage to prove that rock and heart can share the same spotlight.
Hunt has been playing guitar since 2022, and a year later he was a cast member in his first musical. Now, with the “School of Rock,” Hunt gets the challenge and opportunity to showcase his talent on guitar – as well as his acting abilities – at the same time.
“I started in 2022 in Guitar 1 [class] with Mr.[Jason] Jasper. I took all the classes following that, as well as working at home…and have been participating in musicals for three years. My first was ‘Cinderella’ in 2023,” Hunt said.
Like his love of performing in musicals and being on stage, Hunt’s interest in playing guitar started when he was young and has only grown since.
“I’m not sure what inspired me to play guitar. As early as I can remember, I’ve just loved electric guitars and how they sound,” Hunt said.
One of his fellow cast members, junior Sophia DeGuire, grew up with a similar experience of being surrounded by music throughout her life.
“I technically got my first violin at the age of 3, but didn’t really start playing until I was about 6. Sadly after eight years, I quit violin, but had already started playing ukulele in 5th grade, which led me to starting guitar in 7th, and finally, learning piano, but more importantly bass this year,” DeGuire said.
DeGuire dabbled in a range of different instruments until she landed on her current instrument, the bass. She says that playing the bass onstage can be somewhat difficult as she is simultaneously juggling the instrument with her other performing responsibilities.
“Balancing playing an instrument while also singing and dancing on stage is not an easy thing to do, especially having an instrument like bass. Luckily for me, my dancing and singing while also having an instrument is minimal, but it can still be challenging at times to remember everything I need to do onstage at once,” DeGuire said.
Sophomore Chase Ling, another “School of Rock” performer, says that playing the piano while performing is not too challenging.
“I think it’s quite fun. The role I’m playing is a musician anyway so that helps,” Ling said. “Playing live adds a little pressure, because if you mess up it might be bad, but you can just keep going and hopefully nobody will notice. Overall though it just makes the performance so much more fun and exciting.”
Other members of the cast say their previous experience on stage makes their “School of Rock” duties easier. An example of that is junior Jack Rachels.
“I’ve been in 5 shows: ‘Clue: On Stage’, ‘Addams Family Musical’, ‘Almost’, ‘Maine’, ‘All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten’, and now ‘The School of Rock musical’,” Rachels said.
“I wanted to play in the musical because I love to sing and dance onstage with my friends. It is incredibly fun to perform with other people. The best part of any show I’ve ever been in is the people I meet and the relationships I take away,” Hunt said.
In the end, Hunt says he is thankful to be able to do what he enjoys and perform with the rest of the cast involved in the musical.
“If someone is thinking about performing in a musical, my best advice is to just go for it. It may be stressful and exhausting at times, but I promise that in the end, the payoff is well worth the struggles,” Hunt said. “It truly is so much fun. I love this show and everyone involved so much. I am so thankful for this opportunity.”
