French said he was able to be creative with the part of the muse after Maeve Ricaurte, now a senior, showed unexpected jazz-singing skills. The minor role of the jackdaw (a kind of crow) was expanded into a significant character after Erica Murphy, now a junior, impressed everyone with her humorous audition.
The creative process meant everyone was dealing with script changes up to performances in February and March.
Then another series of changes were needed to prepare for the festival, Lehan said. The show needed to be cut down from more than 90 minutes to about 75 minutes, so it could be set up, performed and cleared away by the ensemble within a strict two-hour time limit.
"Everything is constantly changing, so you have got to keep on your toes," said Chris Carey, 18, of Clarksville. "The benefit is [that] you get to really create your character. It makes me think, 'Wow, I am making this happen.' "
Lehan said the students have remained motivated throughout rehearsals. "They were totally juiced by the idea of being part of the creative process in a new way," she said.
In addition to working on his character's personality, Raja Jani said, he watched nature shows to develop the body movements for his character, the lion. Other cast members used Internet clips and photographs.
"The animals are in the way you control your body," said Jani, 18, of Columbia. "The human comes in with the character you give that animal."
As the production progressed, students said, they were pleased to see their ideas reflected in the later versions of the script. They also said they were able during rehearsals to discuss the pros and cons of making specific cuts.
The students' two-week trip begins Aug. 9. It will include several days in London and some sightseeing in Scotland in addition to four festival performances. The cast will also perform scenes from their show at various locations during the festival to try and attract audience members.
Lehan said she wants the trip to expose the students to a much broader artistic community.
"It is the idea that in a small school it is easy to be a big fish in a small pond," she said. "Now, they will share the same stage as the global community."
Performances of "Aesop's Foibles" will be held in Mulitz Theater at Glenelg Country School, 12793 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City. Shows are at 7 p.m. today, tomorrow and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All tickets are $10.
Information: www.glenelg.org, click under "Quicklinks."
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