SHS Theatre prepares production set for April Hailey Christoff Staff Writer
The SHS Theatre will bring the Broadway version of the Disney classic, “The Little Mermaid,” in April to the McClain Hall Stage. This year, the SHS Theatre cast and crew members work to turn the fairytale into a magical show with the help of the SHS Robotics Club. But with the play being a musical based on
a fantasy, making the set an enchanting spectacle becomes more of a challenge in physical resources, creativity, and imagination. “Each year we try to have a show that is bigger than anything or anyone that we’ve done before,” said Logan Weilbaker (11), student director. For the past few years, the cast and directors have tried to step up their game: adding music, dance, variety of costumes and props, elaborate sets and technology. “It makes it a lot harder, but a lot more fun
and rewarding,” Weilbaker said. As for the set, Jacob Graham (10) and the Robotics Club are helping with the magic. “We are teaming up with the Drama Club to make the boat remote control,” Graham said, describing the “Kiss the Girl” scene. During the beginning process, the boat would have been pushed around by the tech crew, but the Robotics Club is hoping for a better way of maneuvering. For costume designs, no costume is going to be more elaborate than the sea witch, Ursula’s. Avery Kendall (11), who plays the villain, said that it could be outrageously extravagant. “From Ursula’s ‘femme fatale’ clothing style and attitude to the many, many tentacles that have to find their way onto the costume
somehow, it’ll be difficult not to make it huge and extravagant,” Kendall said. Playing Ursula makes the experience fun for her — Kendall compares her attitude to Ursula’s bold behavior, stating that they are quite similar. However, as for spreading the word, the SHS Theatre has posted invitations asking for elementary and middle school students to participate in the play as dancers. “The directors are really pushing for every resource we have to make ‘The Little Mermaid’ more unique,” Kendall said. Additionally, SHS Theatre obtained a grant from Samtec Cares, which the directors applied for last fall. The club received a $12,500 grant that allowed the theatre to purchase a variety of new lights for the stage. Photo by Abby Doriot
Rachael Mount (9) paints Ariel’s rock during a Saturday afternoon session of set building.
SHS administration proposes improvements for school Jaiden Herald Co-Editor-in-Chief
During the Feb. 11 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Marc Slaton presented the facility projects that each district school’s principals outlined as a priority for the Capital Planning and Facilities budget. Among the projects presented were the proposed improvements for SHS. “Basically, we went to the school
board to let them know our wish list for the year, “ Principal Chris Routt said. According to Routt, the “big ticket items” they proposed are the replacement of all the bleachers in McClain Hall in June and a new digital sign for the front of SHS. “Basically we get a set amount of money for improvements on the property,” Routt said. Other improvements proposed include the remodeling of a room in Mc-
Clain Hall into a girls volleyball locker room, the painting of the junior and senior hallways and the remodeling of the guidance department. “We get to improve a few things each year on the existing property,” Assistant Principal Jeff Cox said. Routt said the principals have been making a list of possible improvements throughout the year. “We can’t do everything in one year. Long term, you have to think about stuff,
but also [think about] what can we do in the short term. The balance is there isn’t a lot of money,” Routt said. In addition, the district would also like to implement improvements at SHS including concrete repair work, classroom expansion, and interior lighting upgrades. A motion was carried during the school board meeting for principals to start the process of addressing their priority items by getting quotes. News
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