Athol High School presents original musical “The Lint Trap”

ATHOL – This weekend, Athol High School students will perform “The Lint Trap,” an original musical written by school paraprofessional Julie Bouchard that explores childhood dreams and the realities people face as they get older.

Performances will be held at the high school on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, at 7 p.m., with a final performance Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.

“I wanted to write a show primarily for the school,” Bouchard said. “There was not a lot of funding in the program, so to put on a full-scale musical, royalties and rights are a lot of money.”

The title came after her grandchildren visited one rainy day and she later cleaned out the lint trap while doing laundry.

“I found Legos, I found parts for my granddaughter’s bracelet, and I found gum wrappers,” Bouchard said. “These are all pieces of my grandchildren.”

Bouchard said the musical was also inspired by people in her own life, including family members, her children and a former dance teacher who influenced her growing up.

The production follows a group of teachers and educators reflecting on the dreams and ambitions they once had as children and how those goals changed over time.

“When you were a child, there’s no boundaries, and you had all these massive goals and aspirations that the world is so wide and big,” Bouchard said. “As you get older, you realize it’s just not reality … but you find goodness in what you do, and sometimes it’s overwhelming, but we realize that it’s the little things that matter.”

Bouchard said she hopes audiences connect with the realism of the story and appreciate the work students, teachers and staff members have put into the production. She said several teachers are performing in the musical, including some who had never previously been on stage.

“I just think the messages are clear, and I think they’re real,” Bouchard said.

“As you get older, you realize it’s just not reality … but you find goodness in what you do, and sometimes it’s overwhelming, but we realize that it’s the little things that matter.”

Julie Bouchard

The musical was written over the summer before becoming part of a Theater II class at the school, where students use the production as their final project instead of taking a traditional exam.

Bouchard said students involved in the production have become increasingly confident throughout rehearsals.

“These kids show up on weekend rehearsals. They run from practice to come in here, because they just feel super great about themselves,” she said.

Students have also helped build sets, learn how to spike the stage and operate technical equipment for the production.

“We have kids working boards that have never even sat down at them,” Bouchard said. “Learning the lingo and the language of the stage.”

Students involved in the production said performing in an original musical has allowed them to help shape the production throughout rehearsals.

Abby Strunk, a sophomore involved in the school’s theater class, said rehearsing an original musical has been different from a traditional production, as the show is still evolving throughout rehearsals.

“It’s very stressful trying to figure it out, because not everything’s set, so nothing’s been done before,” Strunk said. “But it’s fun because you have creative liberties.”

Strunk said this is her first musical production, though she has been acting since about seventh grade.

Vivian King, who plays Young Olivia in the show, described her character as “kind of sassy and a big fashionista” who likes design. She said one of her favorite parts of rehearsals has been meeting people throughout the cast.

“I like meeting all these people and making connections with them,” she said.

Addison L’Ecuyer, who plays Young Scarlett, described her character as “very determined” and “very stern.” L’Ecuyer, who said she has appeared in about 11 productions, said recognizable songs in the musical have helped make rehearsals easier.

“It’s definitely easier doing songs that you already know,” L’Ecuyer said.

The musical incorporates songs such as “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton, “Money, Money, Money” by ABBA as featured in “Mamma Mia!,” and “When Will My Life Begin” from “Tangled.”

Scarlett Collins, who plays Young Sophia, described her character as “green, earthy” and someone who likes plants.

“My favorite part is coming here and knowing that we’re going to get something done, and it’s going to all come together,” Collins said.