Linus Kaechele

Name: Linus Kaechele

Grade: 11

Role: Reverend Hale

1. What part of being in the play makes you the most nervous?

“Probably the amount of lines I have—I have one of the biggest parts, probably like the third or fourth biggest part— and just that fear of dropping a line constantly nags at me when I’m on the stage. But, I think that fear is cancelled out by how much support you get on the stage from your castmates. Once I get into it after the first few minutes of practice and I realize everyone there is rooting for me to do well, no one in this setting is using it as a competition, and we’re all in it together, that makes me feel more comfortable.”

2. About how many lines do you have, and how long did it take you to memorize them?

“151. I was doing thirty lines a night, so [it took me] like one school week. I ran them with my mom.”

3. What emotions do you think you’ll feel on opening night as the curtain opens?

“Definitely a little bit scared but also a little bit excited. There’s one part in the play where I absolutely go berserk, and after doing it, I’m shaking. It’s definitely fulfilling.”

4. If you could switch roles with anyone for one performance, who would it be and why?

“I don’t know if I exactly look like a Mercy Lewis, but I think her part would be very fun to play. I just think that being a mean girl in the show would be the most fun thing ever.”

5. How are you like or unlike your character?

“I think I’m pretty similar to my character. John Hale is the voice of reason; he comes from out of town into this place, and he is an expert in witchcraft. He sees all of the things going on and is like, ‘What are you guys doing?’ I kind of feel I’m like that; I’m pretty logical. It hasn’t been that challenging to be him, but there are a couple scenes where it’s very emotionally challenging to step into that. It’s so emotionally heavy on my character, and stepping into those shoes is really draining at times.”

6. Who is the funniest person on the cast and why?

“The funniest person on the cast is a tie between Susan Toppen and Meredith VanSkiver. Every single practice I’m always with one of them, and I’m always laughing at one of their jokes. Very rarely are we laughing at one of my jokes, but it happens. They’re very sweet and open with the entire cast.”

7. What can the audience expect when they go to the play?

“A lot of yelling, a lot of screaming, a lot of crying, and a lot of chaos on stage. But, it will be a great time, I guarantee you that.”