8 A&E
THE LITTLE HAWK
THELITTLEHAWK.COM
October 12, 2023
DRAMA
Fall play to open November third Begets: The Fall of a High School Ronin, a dark action comedy set in a high school, is currently in the works and is set to open the first weekend of November By Esther Puderbaugh
T
he lights in Opstad are set to rise once again on November 3 with the opening of Begets: The Fall of a High School Ronin, this year’s fall play. “I had a couple of friends who just had the idea of doing [the play]. And because I already had some sort of acting experience from Mock Trial, I just thought it’d be a fun thing to try out. Considering I wasn’t doing a sport this season and it’s my junior year, I’m like ‘I might as well try as many things as I can’,” City High Drama newcomer Brody Clarke ‘25 said. “So I just went for it, and I wouldn’t have done it if not for those friends. Yomi Hemley ‘25 plays the lead role of Emi Edwards who Hemley describes as “a geek who obsesses over cartoons, but she’s also a baddie who beats up bullies.” According to Hemley, Begets is a little different from fall plays in the past. “The play this year is even more unserious and fun than it usually is. It’s super action packed, fast paced, and has some really important rep-
L: Brody Clarke ‘25 and Molly Savage ‘25 run through a scene from the beginning of Begets. R: Director Lauren Darby leads the cast of Begets in vocal warmups before rehearsal’s start PHOTOS BY ESTHER PUDERBAUGH
resentation,” Hemley said. “Begets doesn’t take itself too seriously and that makes it even more enjoyable to be in and to watch.” Clarke is excited to be putting on a play set in a high school because of the audience’s ability to relate to the scenarios and characters
onstage. “I think it’s going to be a highly entertaining play. It’s very different from plays in the past [because] it’s a high school environment so I feel [like it’s] more easily relatable,” Clarke said. “There’s a lot of drama in the high school and there’s
a lot of flashy combat stuff. It’s like a drama action comedy dark [play] and I feel like that’s going to draw a lot of attention.” Hemley is looking forward to opening night November 3 and is proud of all of the work that has gone into the play.
“The entire cast has been working incredibly hard and you can tell on stage that this play means a lot to everyone,” Hemley said. Tickets for Begets are available at the door or on City High Drama’s Seat Yourself website (seatyourself.biz/iowacityhs).
SHOWCHOIR
Show choirs begin rehearsals
By Estelle Hartz
C
ity High has two Show choirs, Charisma and 4th Avenue. 4th Ave is the varsity group, while Charisma is City’s entry-level, or “prep” group. Charisma has not yet begun learning music but is on track to start soon. “We are currently reviewing choreography from our camp (in show choir, it’s called “cleaning” the choreography), and getting ready to start music rehearsals,” Mr. Walker, City High’s Charisma director said. 4th Ave is currently preparing for the coming competition season which takes place each winter, beginning in January, and running to the beginning of March. Charisma will attend 4 competitions, and 4th Ave will attend 5 this year. Both show choirs take a lot of time and commitment from students. “The commitment aspect of the group is about the same as a sport. You are constantly thinking about what you need to improve, how you can help others, and what is going to help you individually. I practice about 9 hours a week with the group, and probably around 5-6 throughout the week on my own,” Grace Kirschling ‘24, a member of 4th Ave said. Community is a large aspect
4th Ave and Charisma seniors pose with their choreographers. PHOTO COURTESY OF AVERY PROVORSE
of City High’s show choirs, they spend a lot of time working together to improve the show and their experiences.
“It’s really amazing to see so many determined people come into the room and work towards one common goal,” Kirschling
said. Walker says that there is no “bench,” like in athletics. “The students are very sup-
portive of each other, and there’s an understanding that every single member of the group plays an essential part in the success of the group. Everyone participates, and everyone plays an active role in the ensemble,” Walker said. Students who participate in show choir all take part in something that is larger than themselves. “The students just naturally enjoy what they do, like getting to sing and dance,” Walker said. “But it’s also the sense of community and camaraderie within the groups.” Show choir requires a lot of dedication, and commitment. Students not only dedicated a week of their time before school started this year to learn the choreography, but they will also dedicate up to fifteen hours a week, including independent practicing. “It is so rewarding to see all of the hard work that you have put into show choir pay off. Not only individually, but as a group you’re constantly growing and changing aspects of the show, we always say ‘it’s good to have fun, but it’s fun to be good’,” Kirshling ‘24 said. Show choir is an opportunity for students to do what they love, and be a part of a community with a common interest and goals. “There is lots of love in show choir! I’ll enjoy getting to see the students grow and improve as the season goes on,” said Walker.
