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 Staff photo/Katie Yantis: A truck dumps dirt along the Miami and Erie Canal towpath where it crosses Ohio 66. The project will make it easier for those using the towpath to cross Ohio 66.
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Hiker, bikers and walkers in the region will notice a
difference in a few sections of the Miami and Erie Canal towpath trail
starting this week.
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Students prep for musical |
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Tuesday, 17 March 2009 |
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Staff photo/Angela Weaver
Students at McBroom Junior High School practice a dance routine during a rehearsal for “High School Musical.”
By ANGELA WEAVER
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — McBroom Junior High students will take the stage Friday evening as part of the school’s first production of Disney’s “High School Musical.”
Approximately 35 seventh and eighth-grade students, including the actors, stage crew and lighting crew, will be a part of the popular Disney movie musical, Director Mary Schumm said, adding that the group has been practicing for Friday and Sunday’s shows since December.
“It’s a challenging piece,” Schumm said during a rehearsal Monday afternoon. “Just the amount of props for this show. There’s so much stuff back there. We have tables labeled so we know what goes with what scene.”
“High School Musical” is different than the production the junior high put on last year — “Homework Conspiracy.”
“This is a hard show,” Schumm said. “It takes a lot of dedication — they’ve been learning all the lines, learning the words to the songs and dancing.”
Shumm said it helped that the students knew most of the music, and in order to prepare for some of the songs, Schumm said the directors watched YouTube videos and the DVDs of the series.
Schumm, along with Memorial High School freshman Daniel Miller who works the sound equipment, is directing the show with Jane Laird, a speech therapist with the district, and Emily Schaaf, a music teacher at McBroom.
Laird primarily works backstage.
“Making sure they have everything they need — costumes, props, microphones, crowd control,” she said of her role in her second McBroom musical. “Making sure everyone gets in the scenes they’re supposed to be in.”
Although this is Schaaf’s first year teaching in the district, she has had theater experience in her past — she has been involved in Crescent Players, New Knoxville’s musical and the high school’s musical.
“It’s fun to see them (the participants) change and to be able to teach them,” Schaaf said. “If you know them personally, you would never believe how they are up there.”
Schaaf added that a lot of the students have not had choir experience.
“That has been a challenge,” she said.
Eighth-grade students Tasha Rupard and Braeden Tuttle play the lead roles of Gabriella and Troy.
“It’s great to be here,” Braeden said.
“You get to sing, act and dance. It’s a great way to expand your social life and have fun.”
Tasha said she liked making new friends while being involved in the musical.
Eighth-grade student Austin Dysert, who plays Jack Scott, said he liked the experience and it helps him with his future goals.
“It’s a great experience,” Austin said. “I want to be an actor someday. Being in plays like this will progress that role.”
The three students all were in the school’s play last year and described this musical as harder.
“It’s a challenge,” Tasha said.
Braeden said the students have more lines and more dances to learn, something that makes it more difficult.
“This play has music that we actually listen to,” Austin said.
The three were also fans of the movie series, they said.
“When I watched the movie, I was like ‘whoa,’” Braeden said. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
Tasha had some advice for anyone interested in participating in a performance.
“I would encourage anybody to do this,” she said. “It’s fun. It helps you get comfortable with people.”
Braeden wanted to thank the directors.
“The directors are amazing,” he said. “They help us through whatever. They get aggravated sometimes, but it’s fun to be with them.”
Schumm had a few compliments for the participants, as well.
“They’ve been such a wonderful group,” she said.
“Just to see them smile and blossom — you’re seeing them mature in front of your eyes in just three months. This is reaching a population of kids that maybe have never been in anything. The arts are important, and it’s great that the school supports this.”
Friday’s production will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s will begin at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door and cost $4. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 March 2009 )
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