by Lisa Kernek
State Journal-Register
February 6, 2000

Cast members from the musical "Rent" made such an impression on high school students Thursday that two girls scavenged water bottles the performers had discarded.

"We write quotes on everything, and they're all from 'Rent ,'" said Jennifer Schackmann, 17, a Springfield High School senior who planned to put her water bottle in her bedroom shrine of "Rent" memorabilia.

Five actors and a hair-and-makeup designer from the traveling production of the musical visited the Springfield High auditorium Thursday afternoon. "Rent" is playing at Sangamon Auditorium through Sunday.

The assembly drew about 200 students from at least nine high schools, including all three public high schools and Ursuline Academy in Springfield.

Schackmann and her friends had seen the musical, and they said it touched on experiences they were all going through as teenagers.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is about being young in New York City and is a modern take on Puccini's opera "La Boheme." The story touches on homosexuality, AIDS and drug use.

"They're allowed to sing and dance about these things that people won't even discuss," said Courtney Burgett, who along with Schackmann had gathered the water bottles the performers left on the stage floor.

"Rent" is a metaphor for the brevity of life, said cast member Horace Rogers.

"The people that you love are no t going to be there forever," he told the students. "It's about celebrating life."

Most of the students who attended Thursday are active in theater. When one cast member asked how many in the crowd planned to pursue a career in theater, more than half raised their hands.

The running theme in the performers' advice to students was to be persistent and work hard.

Performer Marcus Chaney said that after his first audition, he had 14 callbacks over the subsequent two years before he landed a role.

"I was starting to question my ability," Chaney said.

Rogers advised aspiring actors to do their homework before auditions and to learn something about the plays or musicals they try for. He also advised them not to take rejection personally, since so much of the business is about looks.

When Rogers auditioned for the seventh time for "Rent," he said, he resisted the urge to sing (and here, he actually did sing), "If you don't know me by now .. . "

The students applauded loudly.

Chaney and Rogers are part of a cast and crew of 45 who are touring with the musical. Leigh Ann Smith, board secretary for the Springfield Theatre Center, coordinated Thursday's assembly. Others who appeared were performers Brent Davin Vance, Maia Wilson, Racquel Roberts and hair-and-makeup designer Roger Stricker.

Many students wore souvenir "Rent" T-shirts and hats. They waited patiently in a long line behind a microphone for a turn to ask a question. Some said they were seeing the show as many as three times this week.

Aaron Edwards, 17, of Lanphier High School approached the microphone to thank the cast members for coming. When he asked if he could take their picture, the cast members invited the teenager on stage to pose with them. He was thrilled when Wilson planted a kiss on his cheek.

"After this, I have to go see it," Edwards said afterward. "I went up and thanked all of them again afterward."