Senior Isabelle Gregorio Steps Up for the Drama Club

Josie Sullivan is a powerhouse on stage. She can act, sing and dance. So when illness struck the Huntington High School senior the week of the fall drama club production of “Kodachrome” and sidelined her from playing the lead role, the shoes to fill were as large as they could be.

Ms. Sullivan was expected to star in the role of “The Photographer” - Suzanne. But sickness just wouldn’t allow for it. Fortunately, fellow senior and drama club veteran Isabelle Gregorio stepped up when play director Michael Schwendemann was searching for a possible solution to losing his star.

Ms. Gregorio was originally cast as “EMT 1.” This was his third high school drama club production. She simply loves being part of the club

“Shortly after finding out that Josie was unable to come to rehearsal on Thursday afternoon, Mr. Schwendemann asked me to read for ‘The Photographer’s’ lines for the last two rehearsals before opening night,” Ms. Gregorio said. “I wanted to contribute to the show in any way I could. As the show was 24 hours away, I felt stunned when he asked me.”

Ms. Gregorio took the old Broadway adage, “the show must go on,” to heart. “I knew I had to step up to the challenge considering the limited time that I was working with,” she said. “I knew the script well enough from being at rehearsal most days, but I was mostly shocked by my change in character.”

Drama club members rallied around their castmate. “I really couldn’t have done it without their patience with me and their words of encouragement from the moment I was given the role, until the end of closing night,” Ms. Gregorio said. “Overall, with everyone’s efforts and with effectively adjusting to the curveballs thrown throughout the show, I think it really went wonderfully and I’m glad to have been a part of it.”

Ms. Gregorio said she’s been striving to expand her artistic knowledge and skills throughout high school. She’s focused on visual arts the past two years. “I’ve been taking photography and creative video classes at school,” she said. “I am planning to go to college in the city and major in film and television production, in hopes of one day being able to make my own films and movies.”