Rehearsals are intensifying at Van Nuys High School as the cast of “Chicago” prepare for their first full Act One run through.

This week, performers focused on refining choreography, strengthening scene work and deepening character development in preparation for Friday’s milestone rehearsal. With demanding numbers like “Roxie” taking center stage, students worked to sharpen precision, timing and stage presence.

Sophomore Betty Tallman, who plays Annie and Featured Ensemble, believes that this week’s big focus was consistency and preparation.

“We’re mostly just working on reviewing a whole bunch because the biggest thing we’re working towards is on Friday, which is the big run through of the first act of the show,” Tallman said. “So we’ve been going over songs, choreography and really drilling every little detail in so it looks good on stage.”

That attention to detail has extended beyond individual numbers and into the overall structure of the show. Cast members spent time staging major Act One sequences, carefully mapping out blocking and refining how each scene transitions into the next.

Rather than simply running scenes straight through, rehearsals frequently paused for corrections and resets. Challenging sections were broken down piece by piece, allowing performers to focus on alignment, timing and character reactions within the larger story. These small adjustments, though subtle, play a critical role in elevating the overall polish of the production.

Behind the scenes, preparations are just as detailed. Sophie Gomez, a former student now serving as the production’s costumer, has been developing the visual identity of the show for the past month.

“Right now, I’m finally buying costumes and I’m going to do fittings really soon for everyone,” she said. “. I’ve also been working on a lot of the concepts for each number.”

Now working alongside director Baldridge in a professional capacity, Gomez says the dynamic has shifted since her time as a student.

“I think the main difference is that I do most of the stuff on my own time now,” Gomez said. “Of course, I set my own deadlines, but now I work more independently with his guidance instead of being strictly told what to do.”

With every detail, from choreography and scene work onstage to costumes and visual concepts offstage coming together, the cast and crew of Chicago are building toward a seamless, polished performance. As Friday’s first full Act One run through approaches, the energy and focus in rehearsals reflect a company working in sync, ready to start bringing the show to life with precision, style and show stopping flair.