12 | ACTIVITIES
Club Spotlights By Daniel Smith
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hile everyone else leaves school, these groups stay after, turning the otherwise empty halls into a grand stage where they come to perform their ideas. Likewise, while some may spend every other Friday just relaxing in a random classroom, these groups meet up and intently discuss their passions. Whether their forte is perfectly performing
48th Street PlayersDuring an improv show in fall 2019, senior James Long strikes a bizarre pose as junior Delany Breshnahan lunges towards him in a game of “Freeze Frame.” In the game, two actors must make up a scene based on peculiar stances they must take. After some time, the host yells “Freeze!” prompting them to stop, mid-action, for another group to replace them and make up a whole new scene. “The best way to get involved [in 48th St Players] is to dive right in,” Long said. Photo by Isabel Sedwig.
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wo captains of the 48th Street Players, Seniors James Long and Jaelee Pittel, discussed their experiences leading the improvisational acting group. “I think [one of the best] experiences is just seeing new members come in and fully get[ting] them to embrace the awkwardness…” Pittel said. New members joining the 48th Street Players always means an exciting time for veteran players. According to Pittel, one of the best things about seeing fresh
“Wonderwall” for the 100th time, making everyone around them laugh or naming off every anime on Netflix, these groups represent the time and dedication students put into their projects- their clubs. There are dozens of different clubs that have appeared and disappeared throughout Winnetonka’s history, but the 2019-20 school year hosts over 50, each with its own story and purpose.
Embracing the awkward
performers onstage is “seeing their eyes open up [as they] really immerse themselves in the overall culture of our club.” The 48th Street Players are all about sharing the stage and allowing everyone to enjoy a unique freedom to create hilarious characters, settings, and ideas right on the spot. “Anyone in the 48th Street Players is going to have one defining moment where they will have the spotlight in a performance and they will be the ones
making the audience laugh,”Long said. “And I think watching a 48th Street player have that moment has always been really cool for me because it’s good to see that they’re finally in their groove.” Pittel reflects on the growing popularity of the 48th Street Players. “We’re not necessarily like a sports team or anything, but with our advertising people definitely ask about us, which is good,” she says.
