What's recently happened?
As the curtains opened at South Central High School, the audience was transported into the world of Matilda Wormwood and her adventures. South Central Drama Club (SCDC) opened Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda Jr. The Musical” on February 7. Through the opening number, the audience was introduced to Matilda, played by Lanny Koppen, and her family, Mrs. Wormwood (Amelia Dustin), Mr. Wormwood (Avery Brown), and her brother Michael (Lillian Wright).
The story follows Matilda through her first year of school where we meet Miss Honey (Anigha Applewhite), her school teacher, and all of her classmates. Matilda, being an extraordinary smart child, knows how to read and has read many books including “Oliver Twist, Jane Eyre, Nicholas Nickelby, and The Cat in the Hat.” This catches the attention of headmistress, Miss Trunchbull (Vanessa Pyle).
Miss Trunchbull hates children and always finds a reason to punish them by throwing them into The Chokey. Matilda finds this completely unfair and gets her classmates to join her in revolting against Miss Trunchbull. By the end of the show, students are singing and dancing on desks to chase Miss Trunchbull out of the school.
Despite only having a month to put on this show, the cast, made up of fifth through 10th graders, was extremely dedicated during rehearsals. The older cast members had the opportunity for lead roles as well as being mentors for their younger castmates who were just getting to dip their toes into the theater world. As for the 11th and 12th graders, they directed and produced the show.
Acting and doing tech for a show is one thing; directing, choreographing, and wrangling younger students is another. All of the 11th and 12th graders involved with “Matilda Jr.” had the roles of creating choreography, teaching vocals, setting up lights and sounds, moving sets, and bringing the show to life. Student Director Sophia Marr, a senior at South Central, had the toughest role of all directing and producing the show, as well as delegating tasks to the other upperclassmen.
The work the students poured into the show had audience members praising the efforts of all involved. Despite all the challenges of putting a show together so quickly amidst typical Midwest winter weather, the students walked away with new friendships and fond memories of time spent together. Many of these students are anxiously awaiting the next show in which they can participate.
What's coming up?
South Central’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) will be participating in Envirothon. Envirothon is one of many contests in which FFA members can compete. This all-day contest is being held at Red Mill County Park. Teams, made up of five people, will move from station to station around the park learning about wildlife, forestry, soils, aquatic life, and a current issue. At the end of the event, teams are tested over their knowledge of each topic.
In March, South Central will also be inducting its newest members into the National Honor Society (NHS). Students, who meet academic and behavior requirements and are at least in the 10th grade, are invited to apply for NHS membership. These applications go through multiple faculty boards before the group of inductees is chosen. At the induction, students are introduced to the pillars of NHS before being pinned and receiving their membership card. Moving forward, these students will represent South Central through monthly service throughout the school and community.
Staff spotlight:
Amy Morrison, a third grade teacher, took on the role of Drama Club sponsor and director this year. She has always loved theater and participated in theater in high school. When South Central was looking for a director, Morrison never thought she would be the one to fill the role, but with her love of theater, it was the next logical step.
Morrison’s favorite part of the Drama Club is watching the students grow.
“From crew to the thespians, seeing them grow into their roles and watching their confidence build is fantastic,” Morrison said.
With two shows under her belt, Morrison is looking forward to the spring musical, “School of Rock.”
Student spotlight:
Sophia Marr, a senior at South Central, was the student director for “Matilda Jr.” Marr got her start in theater after watching her brother do backstage for a show. She’s been involved in every aspect of drama from acting to backstage to sound to hair and makeup to now directing.
“Directing was different because I worked with almost everything like lights, sound, acting, etc. to plan out the show,” said Marr.
Through Marr’s 12 shows, she has become an integral part of South Central Drama Club. Her favorite thing is all the people because they are like one big family. Her last show at South Central will be the musical “School of Rock,” which will be performed this spring.
In college, Marr plans to continue participating in theater, as well as, get a degree in elementary education.