What’s Happened?
April is not only a month full of standardized testing and AP exam preparations, but a month of contest for the long preparing music fanatics of Munster High School. Over the past weekend, Munster’s symphonic band went straight golds in their Group III performance at ISSMA competition. While the wind ensemble, choir, and orchestra prepare for their contest to come, the symphonic band is relishing in their accomplishment. Following suit, Munster’s percussion ensemble took first at their state championship.
On the choir side of things, the beginning choirs also received straight golds at their Group III ISSMA performance. Each of the ISSMA competing choirs performed at Munster Auditorium last week for their annual ISSMA concert. Parents and the public alike sent a multitude of compliments and praise to the young singers, wishing good luck for the ones to still compete.
What’s Coming Up?
April 27th has been a date long anticipated by the upperclassmen of MHS. After numerous dress fittings, tuxedo rentals, and last minute hair appointments, Munster’s Prom, themed Diamonds Are Forever, sparks excitement. However, Saturday morning is not all dance festivities for the ladies and gentlemen of Munster’s band and choir. Traveling to Chesterton Middle School, the wind ensembles and intermediate and chorale groups of Munster’s choir will be competing at ISSMA’s annual State Qualification competition. Each group will be competing with level “Group I” music, the hardest group level in the state. The day will consist of twenty minute music sets, sight reading, and a race against the clock to make it back for a magical evening.
With May rolling around the corner, Munster’s highly anticipated spring musical lingers in the air of theatre fanatics. Consisting of a cast of over sixty actors and technicians, Munster Theatre Company is excited to present Disney’s Tarzan the Musical. Similar to the 1999 film, the show follows a boy orphaned in Africa. He is raised by one of them until one day, an expedition of humans lands off the coast, changing what he has known about the world around him forever. Both cast and crew have been working tirelessly to bring the magic to the stage. The show opens Thursday, May 3rd, running through Sunday, May 6th.
Student Spotlight
A veteran to the stage, and a sight set on a theatre career in her future, senior Chloe Jancosek prepares for her final performance at Munster Theatre Company. Chloe has been in every musical since her freshman year and is featuring the role of Kala in Munster’s production of Tarzan.
“This being my last show at Munster, I really hope to leave a name for myself with not only my fellow students but my audiences,” Chloe said, reflecting back on her past performances and the way they have helped move other. “And I hope that I can be a good influence to young performers, and encourage them to be apart of theatre.”
Munster has done Disney performances including Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, but Chloe agree with the majority that this is truly like no other.
“The story is so much more interesting and it has a lot of animals as main chorus which is something Munster has never done before,” Chloe stated.
Having to play a gorilla herself, Chloe has taken a lot from delving into Kala’s character. “I want to send the message to protect and stand up for the ones you love. Kala is Tarzan’s (ape) mother, and even though everyone else thinks getting rid of him would be the easiest thing to do, she has other ideas in mind. We may all be a little different on the outside, like Kala and Tarzan, but we are all the same on the inside. And the inside is what counts.”
Teacher Spotlight
As Munster Theatre Company swings into action with their production of Tarzan, auditorium director Ray Palasz prepares for his second musical at Munster High School. Munster only puts on one musical a year, so the pressure is on from the public to please. Luckily for Mr. Palasz and his actors, MTC has a reputation for remarkable productions.
“The hardest part is to really be sure that the actors are staying true to their characters,” Mr. Palasz comments on the difficulties of putting on a Disney production. “Not all Disney musicals have the most engaging stories for actors to work with, but I think Tarzan is an exception.”
This is the first time in MTC history that the majority of the actors are playing non-human characters. Mr. Palasz and the assistant directors have worked tirelessly to enforce the “ape-like” nature's on the actors, researching, and guiding them to put on the most believable performance. And while tremendous details such as set design, costuming, and acting refinement weigh on the directors shoulders, Mr. Palasz cannot help but be excited to put this show out to the public.
“I really hope everyone walks away from this show remembering to treat others with dignity and respect. There is definitely a strong tension between Tarzan and Jane’s world, however, the way in which those tensions are resolved are great reminders for people to try and understand one another better. It just might make the world a better place!”