Star Beacon
February 25, 2009 05:08 pm
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GENEVA — “We’re off to see the wizard!” The GHS drama department is taking us “somewhere over the rainbow” this spring as “The Wizard of Oz” comes to the Geneva High School stage on March 13, 14 and 15.
This major production has been in the works since last August. It has required much work from the members of both the Drama and Music departments. There are 52 cast members, 40 crew members and 20 orchestra members for a total involvement of 112 GHS students. Drama Department head Robin Christopher says that she and the GHS Thespian officers originally chose the “Wizard of Oz” because they believed that it would be easy to produce, and because it is a well-known musical. However, with the enormous cast, elaborate set and complicated costumes, the production has become quite complicated.
The Drama and Music departments are more than ready to rise to the challenge. Rehearsals began on Jan. 9 and both students and teachers have been dedicating nine to 10 hours a week to the production. As the play gets closer, this time commitment will increase to 16 hours a week. The Art Department is also getting involved making posters and helping with painting perspectives.
This production of “The Wizard of Oz” boasts a tremendously talented cast. Some of the main characters are: Kim Brunsman as Dorothy Gale, David Ungrady as the Cowardly Lion, Brett Morgan as the Tin Woodsman and Kyle Hoff as the Scarecrow.
Even with all of the action and headaches the cast members remain as cheerful as ever.
“I’m having a blast! Being on stage for the first time in a year and a half is amazing, I can’t think of a better way to end my senior year,” said Kim Brunsman.
Cassie Baker comments, “‘The Wizard of Oz’ cast and crew are absolutely amazing and so much fun to work with. From designing costumes to singing in the ‘Lullaby League,’ being a part of the GHS Drama is a privilege.”
Show times are 7 p.m. on March 13 and 14 and 2 p.m. on March 15. Tickets will be readily available at the door. The admission fee is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Please come out and enjoy this spring time classic while supporting the Drama Department.
Wonderful stage productions are the end result of the inner workings of a well developed Drama Department at GHS. Two drama classes are offered here: Introduction to Drama and Production of Drama.
In Introduction to Drama, students learn about the history of theater and basic theater concepts. They read the play “Twelve Angry Men” and perform scenes for presentations. They also use the text “Spolin’s Improvisations for Theater” as an important acting tool. The only prerequisite to enroll in this course is a grade of “C” or above in English. The Production of Drama course deals with theater as a collaborative art. The first nine weeks students work on all aspects of the spring musical, including costumes, props, set, publicity, sound and lighting. During the second nine weeks students work on a one-act play to be presented to classes during a selected eighth period. In order to take this class, a student must have successfully completed the Introduction to Drama course, and must have been involved in at least one GHS production.
In addition to these class offerings, The Thespian Club is available for students interested in and involved in theater. In
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