Masquerade ball and Mardi Gras Market
Alley Kat’s Curiosity Shoppe hosted a masquerade ball and Mardi Gras Market on Saturday, February 22 from 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at the Porter County Expo Center. The event featured many local shops.
“A night of revelry and merriment, the Masquerade Ball and Mardi Gras Market featured Festival Dancing with live music from the Hoosier Recruits and Valparaiso Oldtime Dance Society, and a market of artists and curators from Alley Kat’s Curiosity Shoppe,” said Kat Lutze, costume designer and owner of Alley Kat’s Curiosity Shop. “This community event brought together guests of all ages for a fun night of dancing, games, and company.”
Students involved with the Chesterton High School theatre department were allowed to volunteer to help run this event.
“The students involved in this event helped to lead the dancing and carnival games. As performers, they brought the atmosphere of the ball to life,” Lutze said. “The guests were entertained, and the students learned leadership and teaching skills interacting with both kids and adults.”
The dancing and games kept the crowd entertained no matter their age.
“Although the crowd was not as big as we were hoping for this event, it was our first one, and everyone who attended enjoyed themselves immensely,” Lutze said. “The biggest successes were probably the festival dancing and the scavenger hunt.”
Student Spotlight
Sophomore Lisette Allison participated in a show choir competition alongside fellow members of the Chesterton High School’s Drifters and Sandpipers.
“The show choir competition was in Brodhead, Wisconsin, where we performed our routine,” Allison said. “The Drifters placed 1st in the unisex division. Sandpipers placed 5th overall in their division after finals.”
This performance proved very taxing, but at the same time, rewarding through experience.
“I personally could have performed better, but I nearly threw up after our first number,” Allison said. “I personally think there is always room for improvement and even when you feel like you’re at your worst, just keep working hard.”
This competition not only provided a learning experience for all members but brought success to the teams representing Chesterton High School.
“This competition was memorable because we won for the 3rd time in a row this season, and I genuinely loved spending time with my friends,” Allison said. “I laughed a lot which made this experience even better.”
There is still much to expect from Lisette and her fellow members of the Drifters as they continue on through their season.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with my group and gradually watching us get better with each performance,” Allison said.
Teacher Spotlight
Speech coach Karley Carden has taken up the role as co-director for the winter play, “Charlie & The Chocolate Factory,” working alongside English teacher Anne Sharp to transport the actors and the audience into the beloved tale.
“I decided to become a co-director because I thought it would be a cool opportunity to work with Mrs. Sharp and also get involved in the play again,” Carden said, “but this time on the other side of things. I’ve always wanted to direct and this was my first opportunity to do so, which is extremely exciting.”
Being a part of any play is an amazing experience, but being involved in such a well-known classic such as this one is bound to bring pleasurable experiences.
“The best part of joining the show was getting to know all of the people involved and being able to be a part of making such a special show happen with such an extraordinary cast,” Carden said. “This play will be great because people love it. There is something magical about the Winter Play, and it’s an amazing opportunity to be a part of sculpting that.”
“Charlie & The Chocolate Factory” promises to offer memorable scenes to all who attend and all who participate within the play.
“My favorite scene is where Veruca gets carried off by the squirrels and all the surprises that scene holds,” Carden said. “This production will be very memorable and others should attend it because of all the hard work the entire cast put into the show.”
There is still more that the entire cast and crew is looking forward to as the performance dates draw closer.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the children’s reaction to the play and seeing how engaged they are,” Carden said. “When I was a kid I read the book and I remember the movies, so it lets me and all others feed their inner child.”
What is happening?
Chesterton High School Theatre Department is performing “Charlie & The Chocolate Factory” February 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m. and March 1 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door, $8 for adults and $6 for children.
“This play is magical, like all the others,” English teacher and co-director Anne Sharp said, “but this year I took the lead and directed this year’s play which makes it have more magic than usual.”
Auditions for the play were held in November, and the cast has been working together ever since.
“We advertise via announcements, and students were able to audition as long as they had certain academic requirements and can be cast within the play,” Sharp said. “Another way that they can take part is through painting and set design backstage.”
Every play is different, and “Charlie & The Chocolate Factory '' is no exception. The theatre department received a large permanent set for this year’s winter play.
“The special part for me is having magical elements, which is always something I look forward to,” Sharp said. “Having a large permanent set with a platform is something I have wanted for years, so having that this year is amazing.”
Being a part of the theatre department allows students to express themselves in a positive, creative environment.
“From what I can tell, being in the play is a highlight within students' high school careers,” Sharp said, “allowing them to form friendships and allowing them to express their personality in a way no one has seen before.”
The cast has been eagerly working toward their first performance in which every third grader in the area attends, getting to visit a world of pure imagination.
“Seeing the children’s reaction to our performance to our matinee performance on Wednesday 26,” Sharp said, “—there is nothing that compares to that and I’ve been doing theatre for years. Welcoming them and seeing their reactions on stage is breathtaking.”