For those interested in getting involved with PV Drama this school year or for those just wondering what goes on in there, here is the scoop on what is happening in the theater during the 2018-19 school year.
There are drama meetings every Thursday starting at 3:45 in the theater. In these meetings, you can learn what is going on in the department, get information on upcoming events, and listen to visiting artists.
A comforting aspect of PV Drama is members can decide for themselves how much time they wish to put in. Because of the many different opportunities, members can pick and choose their level of involvement, so they can take part in other activities and still participate in theatre.
Senior performer and crew head Katie Bullock said, “Theatre is and always has been a very welcoming environment for all personality types. No matter what skills someone may possess, there can always be a place found for them within the department and various shows in general.”
Improv is a relatively new aspect of the program, but it has become increasingly popular. It is unscripted comedy created spontaneously by the performers. PV has three varsity teams and a JV team, and they would love to see student body representation at both Improv Nights on Oct. 11 and March 28. Tryouts for the varsity teams will be held at the end of this school year.
The grandest production each year is the musical, with Kiss Me Kate as the 2018 production. The performances are Nov. 1 and 3 at 7:00PM, and Nov. 4 at 2:00PM. Auditions were at the end of August, but there are still many opportunities for those who wish to be involved.
Bullock said, “For those who aren’t involved with acting, there are still lots of opportunities to get involved with the musical. Show up at the theatre around 3:45 every day after school and anyone can get involved helping with an array of technical crew skills such as lighting, set, hair, or costumes.”
Crew is perfect for someone wanting to work behind the scenes and not be seen on stage. There are different groups such as set, lighting, props, and sound crew, and all are available to join depending on your area of interest. Under the instruction of an experienced crew head, crew members will help out and learn in their specific field.
In January, students will put on a childrens’ show and theatre workshops. This year, the production is A Wrinkle in Time, student-directed by PV Drama President James Guest. Third grade students from the elementary schools have the chance to watch the show on a field trip. Then, on the following Saturday, any PV elementary student can come learn about all aspects of drama at the workshops. Auditions for A Wrinkle in Time are Oct. 8 and 10.
In Jan. and Feb., there are Large Group and Individual speech events, and anyone is invited to participate. There are many different events, including solo musical theatre, radio broadcasting, and readers’ theatre, to name a few. If a group or solo performer qualifies, they can then continue on to the All-State Speech competition occurring the following month.
Francis Dunbar, the Assistant Director of Theatre and Technical Director, said, “I would recommend every student in PV tries something to do with drama because you’re going to be in a group of people who are very accepting and very fun; we just have a good time together. You are going to learn a lot of cool things like being able to fix your own house, paint a room, sew, hair, makeup, dancing, singing, and more skills that can change your life.”
Other small plays are performed in the black box in Jan., Feb., April, May. Check the Drama website or Twitter for more information. The Winter Play is Radium Girls, and the Spring Play is She Kills Monsters.
In the summer, Thespians can attend the popular International Thespian Festival. Students travel to the Lincoln, Nebraska and partake in a week filled with workshops, shows, and fun. Students can even audition for college scholarships.
For those who want more information, PV Drama has a program used to organize events and activities called Virtual Stage Manager. Sign up using the code “pvspartandrama” to see a schedule of all events and rehearsals for the department. It is recommended for all people interested in joining drama to sign up. Check out the drama website for a guide to using “Virtual Stage Manager,” and find @PVSpartanDrama on Twitter to stay updated.
