There are many challenges when it comes to producing a play, but when it comes to Copley’s fall production of “Miss Holmes,” one issue has been by far the most difficult: the construction. 

The many disruptions have put a real wrench in the efforts of students and staff to mount the production. Rehearsals are a challenge every day, and the construction has even cost Copley the chance to perform the show in its own theater. On November 22 and 23, “Miss Holmes” will be performed at Revere High School. 

“Miss Holmes” follows the story of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his partner Watson on an investigation featuring plot twists and fight scenes. There is a major surprise for audiences, however: In this version, Holmes and Watson are both females. 

Seniors Kinsie Willis and Callie Conzaman will perform the lead roles as the peerless detective and her trusty assistant. When Willis and Conzaman saw the cast list, their reactions were similar. 

“I was just really excited and proud of myself and my audition,” Willis said. 

“Oh, I was super excited,” Conzaman said. 

While both girls were ecstatic about the opportunity presented by the roles, they differed on what they found most challenging in each part. 

“There are a lot of lines, at least for my role,” Willis said. “There are a lot of sections where I’m speaking literal paragraphs, and doing that while also learning a British accent has been difficult.” 

For Conzaman, the biggest challenge is adapting to a completely new role. 

“Not laughing [is the hardest], because Watson is super similar to me,” Conzaman said. “So there will be times where I would laugh but Watson would not. [I’ve played characters] who are completely different from me, but in this play our characters are really close. I would say that the character development is really hard.” 

While Willis and Conzaman are focused on the challenge of portraying their characters, the directors and production team face very different challenges. “Miss Holmes” is directed by Joe Pine, Music teacher Scott Little and co-directed by 2024 Copley Alumnus Duncan Wagner. When asked, each member of this team cited the school construction as their most formidable challenge. 

“The space,” Pine said. “Not having the theater [has been difficult]. And this isn’t necessarily for me, but having to deal with the accents has been a real struggle.” 

“We are unhoused at this time,” Little said. “On one hand it’s ‘Where are we going to have a performance?’ but on the other hand it’s ‘Where are we putting on our rehearsals?’” 

“The boring but truest answer is the fact that we don’t have a theater, or a stage,” Wagner said.  

Despite not having a true rehearsal space, the production is extremely excited and grateful for the renovations currently underway in the auditorium. In the meantime, the rehearsals continue on and the process has stayed the same.

“[The] first third of rehearsals are tedious,” Pine said. “[The] second third are really fun, it’s where we get to play. Last third is like…okay, push to the end, let’s focus up. We do the harder stuff and the stress levels increase as we get closer to the show.” 

Patrons can enjoy the opening night of “Miss Holmes” at 7:30 p.m. on November 22, 2024 at the Revere High School Auditorium. Two further shows will be held at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on November 23, 2024. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. The cost is $5 for students and seniors age 55+ and $10 for adults.