Based on the full version of RENT – itself based on Puccini’s La Boheme – RENT: School Edition follows the lives of a group of friends for a year. These starving artists, living on the Lower East Side of New York City, experience the triumphs and tribulations of life: Mark, resident filmmaker; Maureen, eccentric performance artist and Mark’s ex-girlfriend; Joanne, Maureen’s new lover; Roger, Mark’s roommate; Mimi, an exotic dancer and Roger’s new love; Collins, a computer genius and friend of Mark and Roger; Angel, Collins’ lover, a street musician and drag queen; and Benny, a former friend who left the group to marry a member of the socioeconomic elite.With the assistance of writer/composer Jonathan Larson’s estate, RENT: School Edition was thoughtfully adapted from the full version. The changes mostly entail the extraction of one song (“Contact”) and some language adjustment. However, the mature themes remain. Many of the young actors, ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old, were fans of the show prior to becoming involved in the production. These actors have been tackling difficult issues head on as they rehearse. Some, like the realities of living with AIDS, are completely foreign. Others, like the intricacies of friendships and being comfortable in your own skin, hit closer to home.
- Aisha Carpenter
MV asked Aisha a few questions about acting and her experience with Rent:
MV: How did you get your start in theatre?
AC: I pretty much started out in theatre when I was a baby. I was always singing and when my mom took me one day to see the Broadway Bound production of Bye Bye Birdie and Annie, I knew theatre was something I wanted to be a part of.
MV: What are your plans after Rent?
AC: I’m hoping to audition for LaGuardia high school in New York City…and try do go to high school there. If not probably just Ballard high school and maybe tryout eventually for SAAS.
MV: Do you want to be a professional actor?AC: YES YES YES! I love being on stage and I love to sing and act. I can truly be myself and its definitely something that makes me happy and something I will try to pursue.MV: What do you think the message of Rent is?AC: I definitely think the message of Rent is to just alway stick to what your heart says and always know that through all the pain you may be going through that you aways have the love and friendship and guidance of your friends and family to help you.
RENT: School Edition’s production staff includes Director (Broadway Bound Founder and Executive Artistic Director) Jimmy Nixon, Choreographer Danny Lang, and Musical Director Katherine Strohmaier.