The Moorpark College theatre arts department is currently in the rehearsal stage for their performance of the romantic comedy, “Prelude to a Kiss,” which is set to premiere on Oct. 17.

Eileen Kennedy is directing this play with confidence in her incredible cast and a lot of experience in the art of theatre. She has been involved in theatre since she was five-years-old, so it’s very much a second home for her. “You start with nothing and end up with something fantastic,” Kennedy explained, “and it’s sort-of magical.”

“Prelude to a Kiss” was actually the first job that Kennedy had on Broadway, but at that time she was a casting director. She felt that working behind-the-scenes was a nice introduction to her career in the theatre.

Kennedy couldn’t be any happier with the cast that she’s been given for this play. “There’s amazing talent at Moorpark and it seems to get better every year,” she said, “Moorpark has a great reputation for the arts and I’m blessed with choices.”

Among this talent is Tyler Alexandre, 20, who plays the role of Peter. Alexandre is currently undecided on his major, but has only recently discovered his love for acting in the theatre. He accidentally fell into acting when he “had time to kill” before he was shipped out to the Navy last year. However he discovered instead that theatre had a larger impact on his life than he could have imagined. When asked about his experiences so far in the theatre, Alexandre explained, “It’s a cycle of life because you start with nothing, and then you create this experience, and then you tear it down and you never really come back together again.”

Alexandre has faced challenges in adapting to his role in this play, but he’s also discovered that he and Peter are not very different. “He’s a lot of who I am,” he said, “I knew I wanted to be Peter.” He was immediately interested in performing in this play after reading the script, and also because he knew who was going to be directing it. “I really wanted to work with [Kennedy]. I would’ve done anything. I would’ve done Cats: The Musical…that’s not a knock on Cats.”

Another talent involved in this play is Brenna Williams, 21, a technical theatre major, whose goal is to become a make-up/special effects artist. “I love just bringing out and creating a character,” she said. This is her third year at Moorpark College, but she’s been involved in theatre for a lot longer. She loves the theatre for the confidence that it gives her and the great impact that it has on her own life.

Williams is one of the two actresses set to play the role of Rita in this production. Williams enjoys taking on this role, as she feels that she can relate to the character in many ways. “I like how awkward she is, it makes me feel like I’m sort-of playing myself,” she said. Along with her character, she has also immensely enjoyed the production of the play so far, including the people involved and the story itself. “It’s a grim fairy-tale,” she said, “It’s like a darker version of Freaky Friday.” Williams is feeling a little nervous, but is staying positive as the production nears its premiere.

Angelica Smith, 25, is the second actress who will be playing Rita during the play’s run, and she is equally talented and enthusiastic about the play and theatre in general. “I always knew it was my calling,” she said, “I love being able to step into someone else’s shoes and bring the pages [of the script] to life.” Smith has already graduated college with a major in Spanish, but she decided to come back to pursue a career in acting. This play was recommended to her by Kennedy, her acting coach, and she immediately fell in love with it.

Smith feels that she can really relate to Rita on many levels, but has had some difficulty in the transition from acting as Rita to acting as the old man who switches minds with Rita, the main conflict of the story. “I have to make the distinction more dramatic,” she said, “It’s strange because I’m embodying an old man, but with a young girl’s body…So all the distinction has to be in my mannerisms.” She believes that anyone can enjoy this play, and encourages the audience to really listen to the dialogue when they come to see it.

“Prelude to a Kiss” will be playing at the Moorpark College theatre on Oct. 17 through 27 at 8 p.m., except on the 20th and the 27th when it will be playing at 2 p.m. Tickets will be available for adults at $15 and students and seniors at $10. If you buy online HERE, you can save 20% on tickets. There will also be a free student matinee on Oct. 23.

The Prelude to a Kiss cast rehearsing.