Drama’s Mane Attraction
Traveling show introduces young students to theatre
By Riley Fink
Traveling show introduces young students to theatre
By Riley Fink
Advanced Drama is preparing to perform “The Lion King” for nine different local elementary schools.
In order to put on that many shows, the performers have been split into three casts, which changes the dynamic between cast members significantly, by adding a flair of competitiveness, as touched upon by Joshua Radzinski, 12.
“There is a lot more competition. The best cast is basically announced because it’s the first cast to go out to an elementary school so you want to be that first cast. You’re not just trying hard to be good, you’re trying hard to be better than other people,” said Radzinski.
Since the shows will be for elementary school students instead of Pioneer students, the shows will be much more laid back, mainly done for the enjoyment of the children, as explained by cast member Renee Boissier, 11.
“Sharing theatre is the main benefit of doing the traveling show. We’re able to go out there and show these kids just how fun it can honestly be. There’s no sets, there’s barely any costumes, it’s just us singing and dancing and having a blast,” said Boissier.
Alexander Higdon, 11, alongside many of the other cast members, finds it extremely gratifying to perform for kids, due to how involved they are in the show.
“Kids are honestly the best audience, because they’re just fun and interactive, and when they cheer you can tell they genuinely enjoy what you’re doing,” said Higdon.
Putting on the shows has many advantages outside of the enjoyment of the audience, but among them, the children are more exposed to drama as a medium, which can influence them to attempt it themselves, as explained by director Ashley Coleman.
“My hope is that when these students grow up and decide where they go to high school, that they think ‘I remember when Pioneer came and performed for my school and I loved it so much that I want to go to Pioneer,’” said Coleman.
The traveling show also benefits the advanced drama class as a whole, which is very important to Coleman, as the experience transitions directly to skill.
“I think it’s a really important thing for our performers to have as many opportunities to perform as possible,” said Coleman. “If you want someone to play baseball well, you gotta put them out on the field. If you want someone to perform well, we need to provide as many opportunities to perform in front of an audience as possible.”
In order to put on that many shows, the performers have been split into three casts, which changes the dynamic between cast members significantly, by adding a flair of competitiveness, as touched upon by Joshua Radzinski, 12.
“There is a lot more competition. The best cast is basically announced because it’s the first cast to go out to an elementary school so you want to be that first cast. You’re not just trying hard to be good, you’re trying hard to be better than other people,” said Radzinski.
Since the shows will be for elementary school students instead of Pioneer students, the shows will be much more laid back, mainly done for the enjoyment of the children, as explained by cast member Renee Boissier, 11.
“Sharing theatre is the main benefit of doing the traveling show. We’re able to go out there and show these kids just how fun it can honestly be. There’s no sets, there’s barely any costumes, it’s just us singing and dancing and having a blast,” said Boissier.
Alexander Higdon, 11, alongside many of the other cast members, finds it extremely gratifying to perform for kids, due to how involved they are in the show.
“Kids are honestly the best audience, because they’re just fun and interactive, and when they cheer you can tell they genuinely enjoy what you’re doing,” said Higdon.
Putting on the shows has many advantages outside of the enjoyment of the audience, but among them, the children are more exposed to drama as a medium, which can influence them to attempt it themselves, as explained by director Ashley Coleman.
“My hope is that when these students grow up and decide where they go to high school, that they think ‘I remember when Pioneer came and performed for my school and I loved it so much that I want to go to Pioneer,’” said Coleman.
The traveling show also benefits the advanced drama class as a whole, which is very important to Coleman, as the experience transitions directly to skill.
“I think it’s a really important thing for our performers to have as many opportunities to perform as possible,” said Coleman. “If you want someone to play baseball well, you gotta put them out on the field. If you want someone to perform well, we need to provide as many opportunities to perform in front of an audience as possible.”