Del City High School to stage Oklahoma premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Nov. 20-22

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

The Wizarding World is coming to Del City High School, as students stage Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Nov. 20–22. The production marks the Oklahoma premiere of the high school edition, making Del City one of the first schools in the nation approved to perform the play.

The show, considered the official eighth story in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, follows Harry Potter—now an adult and father—as well as the next generation of Hogwarts students.

Director Guy Mitchell, Del City’s theater instructor, said the opportunity came about almost by accident.

“It was oddly a fluke,” Mitchell said. “Last March or February, I turned to a student of mine and said, ‘Hey, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child High School Edition is available. What do you think?’”

Mitchell applied for licensing in mid-February, expecting a long wait. Instead, approval came by April.

“They picked 100 high schools in the nation to do that first year, and then they finally opened it, and we are the next batch of high schools approved,” he said. “We are the Oklahoma premiere.”

Mitchell said this is easily the department’s most complex production.

“It is absolutely not like a typical show,” he said. “This show has 42 scenes and 20 locations, and each of them are distinct and unique. There are onstage magic effects and set pieces that have to change in 30 seconds.”

Students helped build every major scenic element, including rotating staircases designed to mimic Hogwarts’ enchanted architecture.

“These staircases are 100% mobile. They spin, they twist. Actors walk up and down them as they move to simulate movement,” Mitchell said. “It has been the least normal production I’ve ever done.”

Rehearsals began in mid-September, with students working several evenings each week and occasional Saturdays.

Leading roles include Albus Potter, Scorpius Malfoy, Harry, Ron and Hermione, along with a mysterious figure named Delphi. Mitchell said the cast also reflects Del City’s diversity.

“Our Harry is, of course, African American, so we’re going to let people see Harry as maybe they envisioned him in their mind and not what the movies are,” he said.

Senior Javier Nichols, who plays Harry Potter, said the production’s significance isn’t lost on the cast.

“It’s really cool, because I know ever since it was announced that we’re doing this show, everybody’s like, ‘You guys are doing Harry Potter?’” Nichols said. “Being able to bring this to life, especially the first people to do it in Oklahoma… it’s a really cool experience.”

Nichols admitted he wasn’t a big Harry Potter fan growing up but has grown to appreciate the franchise.

“I’ve seen the first movie about six times, and I’m only now watching the rest of them,” he said. “There’s just so much magic in that first one.”

Ron Weasley is played by Beck Boyd, a longtime fan. “I absolutely love Harry Potter,” Boyd said. “Luckily, I got Ron—the redhead. It’s just been magical to my heart.”

Both actors praised the technical crew.

“We have to give it up to tech, set design,” Nichols said. “They make the magic happen.”

Senior Amahiyah Norton, who plays Hermione Granger, said she connected with the character early on.

“I started reading Harry Potter when I was in third grade, and I immediately fell in love with Hermione,” she said. “I saw myself in her.”

She said audiences will enjoy the story’s new direction. “It’s interesting because it’s not like the other Harry Potter stories in the sense that it follows their children,” Norton said. “If you already love Harry Potter, you will love the show. And even if you don’t, it’s such a cool experience.”

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will run Nov. 20–22 at the Del City High School Performing Arts Center, 1900 S. Sunnylane Rd., with shows at 7 p.m. each night.

“When I hung up posters in the community, people were quick to say, ‘I didn’t know there was a Harry Potter play. I’d love to come see it,’” Mitchell said. “There’s something for everyone.”

Tickets are available at dchstheatrearts.ludus.com.