Students get involved in musical theatre
by Randi Billings
November 06, 2009
The Silver Lake High School Musical
Theatre class is putting on a production of “Hello, Dolly!” The
production will take place on Saturday Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and again
on Sunday Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.
SLHS Musical Theatre is a class taught and
directed by Tonya McGough, SLHS choir teacher. McGough is given and
abundance of aid in the preparation process by Sandra Liggatt, SLHS
band teacher. The musical takes up a lot of a students’ time and
requires devotion to the theatre. The cast practices every class
time, but they also have dress rehearsals and practices outside of
school.
“We practice every maroon day fourth block,
and when the musical gets closer, we have a Sunday dress rehearsal,
which lasts about six hours. Then we have a whole week of nighttime
dress rehearsals,” states McGough.
Kaci Campbell, a SLHS sophomore, knows that
working hard and dedication will help prepare her for the upcoming
production.
“I am preparing for the musical by
memorizing my lines every night and practicing hard in class,”
comments Campbell.
Shaley Epperson, a SLHS junior, believes
that being apart of the musical allows her to be able to
communicate with peers outside of her normal social group.
“(My favorite aspect of Musical Theatre) is
hanging out and getting to know other people who I don’t usually
talk to or hang out with,” observes Epperson.
McGough had a difficult time finding a
musical that fit the size and talent of her students.
“It was a real struggle to find one (a
musical) this year that had enough parts for all of the talented
kids that we have. I chose “Hello, Dolly!” because it has a lot of
really good parts that fit the talent of the people that we have,”
said McGough.
This year there are only 31 students
involved in the musical, which is down 20 from years past. This is
due in part to the loss of many strong and talented seniors.
McGough is able to count on the cast to be able to step up and take
the roles of last year’s seniors.
“Even though those seniors were very
talented, these people that have stepped into their shoes will fill
them very well. We miss them, but we also have enough talent to
replace them so it works out,” comments McGough.
McGough chose which roles the members of
the cast received. In “Hello, Dolly!” there are five principle
characters. These roles include Dolly Levi played by Rachel Cross,
Cornelius Hackl played by Derek Holmer, Barnaby Tucker played by
Peter Ruby, Irene Malloy played by Brooke Brennan, and Horace
Vandergelder played by Cole Schwarz.
McGough understands what characteristics
are required in order to be a performer. She praises her students
for being bold and brave on stage.
“They are confident and not afraid to step
out of the box and be someone else. And, they are very talented
musicians,” observes McGough.
Campbell anticipates that this fun musical
will be stimulating and exciting for the audience. She enjoys
acting and being able to see how the audience reacts.
“I am most excited to perform for a crowd,
I get a rush when I am on stage and I love watching the crowd get
into what is going on,” states Campbell.
McGough expects that this year’s musical
will be amusing and entertaining.
McGough states, “I think it’s going to be a
lot of fun. I think the musical itself is fun. The kids that are in
it seem to be enjoying it and doing a good job.”
Hello Dolly
Cast List
Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi - Rachel Cross
Ernestina - Amanda Soudek
Ambrose Kemper - Wes Burdiek
Horace Vandergelder - Cole Schwarz
Ermangarde - Kaci Campbell
Cornelius Hackl - Derek Holmer
Barnaby Tucker - Peter Ruby
Minnie Fay - Sadie McGough
Irene Malloy - Brooke Brennan
Mrs. Rose - Shaley Epperson
Coachman - Jamie Stadler
Horse - Mark Herrmann and Kevin Taylor
Rudolph - Joe Priddy
Stanley - Jesse Barnes
Fritz - Mark Herrmann
Harry - Kevin Taylor
Louie - Justin Malloy
Danny - Colby Haverkamp
Manny - Jamie Stadler
Hank - Evan Altman
Paper Hanger - Kayla Shaughnessy
Court Clerk - Ashley Williams
Judge - Drake Pino
1st Cook - Holly Cokeley
2nd Cook - Kelsey Darling
Sunday Clothes Dancers:
Chelsea Anderson, Jessika Hamrick, Shelby Wichman, Ashley
Williams, Kelsey Darling, Holly Cokeley, Taylor Schenkel, Miranda
Stromgren, Drake Pino, Jamie Stadler, Evan Altman, Colby Haverkamp,
Mark Herrmann, Justin Malloy, Jesse Barnes, Kevin Taylor
