Drama club entertains onstage and off
The R/UHS Drama Club hams it up
After school on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday afternoon, the whole school is empty and quiet. That is, excluding the Little Theater. Every Tuesday afternoon, from three to four, the University/Rincon High Drama Club holds its meetings in the Little Theater. The Drama Club completely contrasts the school’s quiet, calm atmosphere and creates its own organized chaos. In one corner of the Little Theater, a girl picks out her dress for the upcoming Variety Show and in the opposite end someone is up in the tech booth, working the lights. All of this goes on while two boys on stage are practicing a song. Yet everyone’s individual business connects somehow, and at the snap of a finger everybody comes together to practice a song.
Drama teacher Maryann Green is the Drama club’s proud advisor. Before this year, the Drama Club has been “a little spotty,” Green says, but “this is the first year with a true core group.” There are many things the Drama Club has to offer. Currently, the club is “working on a Variety Show and for Valentine’s Day we’re hoping to have a Sonnet Sale where people can buy a Sonnet for someone special and the actors from the Cast of thousands will come and recite them during class,” says Green. Green admits that the group spends a little bit of time goofing off, but tells prospective club members to “Come every Tuesday even if we’re not being productive.” Green also says, “I’m really excited about what’s coming up. We’re pretty laid back and not as much of a time commitment.” When asked what it takes to become a professional actor, Mrs. Green jokes, “Act more, suck less.” On a more serious note, she advises to “work in the theatre whenever you can.” Drama Club provides the perfect opportunity.
The student members seem to love Drama Club just as much as Mrs. Green does. Rincon High freshman Cameron Tresswell says, “It’s a lot of fun because you get to hang out with your friends.” University High senior Briana Corkill says, “Drama Club is more relaxed than the class and we have more say in what we get to do.” Drama Club is “a really good thing to do,” and, “it looks good on transcripts and you get the opportunity to meet new people,” says Rincon sophomore Janelle Effiwatt, who is also a member of her school’s Student Council. When asked why she decided to join Drama Club, University High freshman Kristina Tharpe says, “I was in Drama in Middle School and I really wanted to add more Drama to my life,” (the theatre kind, of course).
Drama club appeals to all different types of people. Acting is only one of the components of Drama Club. Rincon student Karysta Srieblime works with the technical aspect of the theater. She says, “I haven’t been in tech for very long but it’s a really big contribution because it brings out more of the play than just acting alone.” Normally, Srieblime would be on the stage acting, but she says, “Getting a chance to do lighting is not something I would normally do.”Both Briana Corkill and Janelle Effiwatt are Drama Club officers. “Basically I come to meetings and report it to the class,” says Effiwatt. Corkill was recently put in charge of the upcoming vaudeville show, and contributed by holding auditions and getting others involved. “It’s pretty awesome,” she says with a smile. Kristina Tharpe’s passion is acting and she says, “I love going through the costume room and making individual personalities.”
The University/Rincon High School Drama Club is more like a big family than just a club dedicated to drama. University High freshman Alyssa Clark says, “It’s a lot of fun. We get to see people from Rincon and people in different social circles. We’re all friends.” When asked what advice they would give to people who want to get involved the members gave a variety of answers. Effiwat advises to “Work really hard, do your best and get as involved as you can.” “Do any drama you can. If you like it, just do it. There’s more to the theatre than just acting and drama club needs more people,” says Corkill. Srieblime says, “Bring an open mind an open spirit because in the end, it’s absolutely amazing.” If you want to become a part of the Drama Club, do not hesitate. Tharpe says, “Come to drama club! Try your hardest and have fun with it.” Corkill says, “Show up any Tuesday,” and “Don’t be scared we’re all friendly.” Even if you decide not to join, keep an eye out for the upcoming vaudeville/variety show and the sonnet sales in February.
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