'Big' Dreams Behind the Scenes

Most afternoons find CHS junior Grace Gifford behind a camera, working as floor manager and in production for the Columbia Cable Network (CCN). Once a year, though, Grace moves to center stage, when she performs in the all-school musical. 

This year, Grace, who grew up in both Maplewood and South Orange, takes the role of a kid—one of 15—in Columbia High School's production of "Big," directed by Assistant Principal Michael Healy. Last year, Grace was pit singer in "The Wiz."

A veteran of Maplewood Middle School's "Once Upon a Mattress," "Seussical" and "High School Musical," Grace is drawn to the annual event because of what she describes as, "great atmosphere. You spend hours with these talented people, you feed off their energy, you become a small family that enjoys the stage."

She laughs that her stage family is sometimes "dysfunctional," fueled by adrenaline and excited by the rush of performance. Grace compares the weeks of rehearsal and preparation to studying for an exam. "The most exciting part is when all the hard work is done," she explains. "You stop studying and finally you take your final test and the outcome is 100 percent. Everything comes together performance night, and all your nerves seem to be miles away."

Grace works hard for the musical, and Patch caught up with her during a Friday choral rehearsal with Matthew Russell, music coordinator for "Big." Though the afternoon rehearsal lasted into early evening, she and the chorus stayed focused, aware that time, in Grace's words, "is of the essence," when preparing for the musical. The following Friday found Grace and the other "kids" rehearsing a dance on stage under the direction of Tricia Benn. The movements were precise and practiced, an exercise in movement and memory. "I always get a good night's sleep," says Grace, "and make sure I avoid all distractions."

Still, Grace is a movie buff and an engaged student, so there are other interests to balance, even during the rehearsal period. Grace and her mother, whom she credits as the source of her talents, make a point of seeing as many Oscar-nominated films as possible. She predicts that "The Hurt Locker" will be the big winner this year. "It's all in the writing," Grace explains. She sees Jeff Bridges taking Best Actor—"It's his year," she says—and Helen Mirren nabbing Best Actress. She'd like to see Sandra Bullock take the prize, but admits that the actress's body of work is "mixed." 

For herself, Grace foresees a career doing "background work, like producing and directing," but she admits that, "Yes, I would love one day to be in front of the camera or on the stage." Her favorite musical is "A Chorus Line," "because it is about trying out, hopes and dreams. It's like real life because everyone hates auditioning." Her experience with CHS musicals has taught her to appreciate what she sees onstage. "I've learned about the background of musicals," she explains. "When you see people on stage performing, you think it's easy until it's you and you practice like crazy to make it look easy. It's an amazing feeling. It's one of the best parts of the experience."

Grace's enthusiasm for the musical carries into the hallways and classrooms. She delights in meeting fellow students in the musical, even people in her own grade whom she has never talked to before. The tight bond of working together on a production often leads to firm friendships. Grace explains that she grows to know people she has seen or whose names she has known for years. Suddenly, "you have something in common with these 'strangers,'" she says. "They become real people and you say hi to them in the hallway."

When she has downtime, Grace is a big fan of the shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Summer Heights High" and "Extras." She shakes her head and laughs when comparing the CHS all-school musical experience to "Glee" or "Fame." "I wish it was like that, but, sadly, it's not," she says. "I mean, yeah, we have amazingly talented people on the stage and behind, but its no fairy tale. We work extremely hard for our skills. We're not born with them, but we excel no matter what."

"Big" will be performed at CHS on March 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. It will also be performed on March 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. For tickets, call Columbia High School at 973-762-5600. Cast members are also selling tickets.