Theatre

A Peek Through the Curtains What theater has in store for the public this year

Gavin Berry Staff Writer

Michael Frayn earned a Tony Award nomination in 1984 for his show, Noises Off, which follows a determined director and his troupe as they put together the production Nothing’s On. Recently, the Lindbergh Theater Department decided to produce a take on Frayn’s show, premiering as one of the last shows within the old auditorium, with the new auditorium on its way to completion. “We wanted to do it with a bang and go out with a big old set,” director Jessica Winingham stated.

Improv Crew’s afterschool practice for upcoming show in Black Box Theater

Premiering first on October 13th, the LHS version of Noises Off showed itself to be a success as the seats were full each performance. Within the show, it consisted of a main two-story rotating stage, which Winingham and Technical Director Dave Blackwood for thirteen years have been wanting to incorperate into a show. “It went really well, people said it was the funniest show they have seen in a long time,” responded Lily Kimbrell (11). These shows are rumored among the community, but are hoped to be produced as theater continues to bring in more people every year, and it all means a heavy commitment for those individuals helping to put the show on. With the unbalance between thespians and their homework, they must try to balance these tides and manage their priorities.

10 Feature 11.16.22

“As long as you enjoy your after-school activity, that is almost a break from school,” Kathryn Koehler (12) stated, “When you get home, you can think about your assignments…know what commitments you have and prioritize them.” Some thespians advise that people put themselves out there, to express their talents on the stage without overdoing it. Winingham suggested that new students get the chance to try everything, from acting to, eventually, directing, as they must find their theatrical art style. “I think being exposed to all the elements of theater is really good for an artist,” Winingham replied. Following the success of Noises Off, the theater crew planned even more shows. On November 11th, the theater held its improvisational show, a show full of comedy and thespians in a series of short acts. Followed by Shakespeare clubs’ hour performance of The Tempest, which was planned to drop on the twelfth of November, but got canceled due to illness. Winingham said she decides which shows to perform based on what will challenge her students the most. “I choose shows that I think are worthy of being on stage...shows that I think my students will learn from and enjoy,” said Winingham. The public can also expect more shows to come with productions such as Beauty and the Beast, which is rumored to be set to premiere in February, a musical is set to drop in February of 2023, and finally, in the future, the Senior One Acts that will be directed by senior thespians showing off their experience. “I think a lot of people who participate are amazing and work really hard,” Koehler responded.