“I have a hard time picking plays,” Drama teacher Tim Laner said. “It has to just jump out to me; it’s like a lightbulb going off in my head.”
Laner often struggles to pick a play partially because he expects each cast member to understand their character and to become that character.
“Be willing to jump off that cliff with character, voice, body and face,” Laner said.
Junior Dorian Ballway, who plays Ron Wheezy and Uncle Dirtsley, originally did not like the idea of acting in a play, but some close friends convinced him to join first semester of his freshman year.
“Freshman year for the play, I was just a side character,” Ballway said. “Sophomore year, I was an understudy for a character, but he got kicked out of the musical, so I had to learn how to do a main role for the first time.”
Ballway is thankful for the help of his friends and Laner, who helped him understand his roles more clearly.
“I think the pressure of having to learn that role in two weeks really helped me flourish,” Ballway said. “I had a lot of friends help me throughout it as well.”
Ballway chooses a character to perform and incorporates the character’s personality and his own into the show.
“Uncle Dirtsley is supposed to be a harsh, stepdad figure, so I try and yell,” Ballway said. “Ron Weezy tries to make jokes, and I just try and be a joyous character for him.”
Freshman Deanna Smith, who is a part of the set crew, helps prepare the cast before and during performance day.
“I help build the set,” Smith said. “I also help move props and
structures during the performance.”
Smith dislikes the last two weeks because they were the hardest for both cast and crew.
“The last two weeks before the day of the play are the hardest,” Smith said. “Everyone calls it hell week because they are extremely long and stressful.”
Smith first helped out on crew her first semester, freshman year. She enjoys her time on the crew.
“I get to spend a lot of time with my friends who are also on crew,” Smith said.
Ballway thinks it’s important to try new activities in high school, and being a part of the play is a great way to make new friends and fill up spare time.
“Everyone should try the play or musicals at least once, because it’s an enjoyable experience,” Ballway said.
Laner enjoys working with the students and is open to anyone who is looking to join.
“Students who want to participate are all welcome,” Laner said. “Be committed and leave drama at home and be willing to work with others and work hard.”
