“It was a bit overwhelming at times. But it seems like we put together something that we can be proud of.” These words from first-year producer Mr. Walter Dowling summed up the Trinity Department of Theatre Arts fall production, “Journey’s End.” The 1928 drama tells the story of a British company in World War I. It was directed by Dr. William P. Bradford II. Performances ran from Nov. 7 through Nov. 18. Most Trinity productions consist of Trinity students and students from various local high schools to fill the female roles. “Journey’s End” had only male characters played by Trinity students. According to Dowling, this was both a blessing and a curse. “It definitely made it easier to organize auditions and dress rehearsals,” Dowling said. “I also think that guys were less involved because they knew girls wouldn’t be there.” Senior Tevin Johnson-Campion, who played the Sergeant Major, said he was initially unhappy about not having females in the play, but he got over it fast. He said, “At first I was bummed because girls usually make the show more fun, but with this particular group of guys, I was lucky to have just as much fun as I ever had doing a play. We formed a real brotherhood on the show.” Johnson-Campion has worked with Trinity theatre since his freshman year, starting with “South Pacific.” The brotherhood he referred to may have been formed by the intense amount of work that went into the production of “Journey’s End.” Johnson-Campion said, “I don’t think a lot of people realize how much work goes into a show. We rehearse every day, six days a week for anywhere from two to five hours. We have a specific night called ‘drop night’ when we go in at 3:30 and stay until the director lets us go home. This year, he let us go around one a.m.” But it’s not just actors who work hard. Freshman Patrick Schmitt, the stage manager for “Journey’s End,” worked on the production beginning in early September. “I’m sort of like a director’s assistant,” Schmitt said. “I have to make sure everyone’s there and call lights and sound cues.” After his first production, Dowling said, he could have used more time for preparation. “If I could do anything over,” he said, “I would probably have started about a month earlier.” Dowling organized auditions and callbacks. Once the show was cast, the actors went to Bradford. Dowling then had to find places to rent uniforms, make programs, construct the set, and make the poster, among other things. Dowling said, “I have to thank Mary Ann Snyder (administrative assistant to the principal). She really helped us by typing up biographies and helping us to make the programs.” The ads in programs handed out at the theatre door help to fund the productions each year. Most people don’t know that any theatre department must pay the creators of a play they want to perform. According to Dowling, ticket sales cover only a fraction of the royalties needed to put on a show and the cost of using Trinity’s theatre. Despite the expenses, Dowling said, “It’s not that bad because we’re able to teach these guys good acting and communication skills.” Some people also wonder how a highly regarded theatre department like Trinity’s selects the plays and musicals that it ends up producing. Said Dowling: “Dr. Bradford picks a play based on who he has available to him. So if next year we have three really good seniors, then he’ll pick out four or five plays that have three lead male actors. Then, based on feedback that he gets from (Principal) Mr. (Dan) Zoeller, (President) Dr. (Rob) Mullen, and maybe some other people, one production is picked from those four or five.” Trinity has already begun auditions for its spring musical, “ 110 In the Shade ,” which tells the story of a woman living in a drought-stricken area of the United States. Johnson-Campion is excited about this selection: “(‘Journey’s End’) has definitely been one of the best plays I’ve done at Trinity, but I think that the real magic is in musicals.”