Wednesday, November 29, 2000

It has been a busy fall for the drama students at Sandy Creek High School.

October's events included attendance at the Georgia Theatre Conference and Convention at Valdosta State University, where they attended nearly 20 plays from all over the state. Additionally, the SCHS production of "Twelfth Night" was presented with the award for Best Costumes at the Secondary One Act Play Festival.

In November, sophomore Joshua Lewis was selected as a finalist for the Governor's Honors Program in drama, and "Twelfth Night" was awarded fourth place in regional one act play competition at Heritage High School in Conyers. Additionally, four SCHS students were selected for the Regional All-Star Cast.

The Drama Club is thriving, and monthly meetings include special guests, theater games, local theater information, and organization of production workers. The club plans for December include hosting a musical workshop Friday, Dec. 15, where students who plan to audition for "Anything Goes" in January can hone their audition skills in acting, tap and singing.

The group also plans to organize a drama guild to recruit parents to assist with publicity, set and costume construction, concessions and arts advocacy.

The semester isn't over yet. Dec. 7 - 9, the drama department will present Rick Abbot's "Play On!" in the SCHS band room at 7:30 p.m. It's a comedy about a struggling community theater's attempt to present an original murder mystery.

Performed as a play-within-a-play, the first act of "Play On!" shows a rehearsal, the second act is a dress rehearsal, and the third act is opening night. In each act, mysterious illnesses and deaths are blamed on the curse of a mysterious Indian jewel, but for a variety of comic reasons, each act is different.

Director Gerry Dunbar (Courtney Cranford) is frustrated by author Phyllis Montague's (Sara Norris) constant re-writing of "Murder Most Foul," her first play. Aggie Manville (Travis Knowles) and Louise Peary (Cassie Brooks), her crew, try to help Gerry keep things under control, but when costumes, properties, sound effects, and the set go wrong, hilarious consequences result.

The actors generally work together, but when their nerves get the better of them, sparks fly and minds go blank.

Saul Watson (Josh Lewis) cracks jokes at the expense of Polly Benish (Lindsey Nelms), who rails right back at him despite her husband Henry's (Joey Ellington) repeated attempts to smooth things over. Smitty Smith (Carly Marrs) frets over her biology homework, and Billy Carewe (Simon Sharp) and Violet Imbry (Mary Alice Olsan) find unexpected romance during rehearsal of a love scene.

Kathy Andersen, SCHS drama teacher and director of the production, is assisted by Giovanti Bonner and Tracy McBurnett as swing performers, prompters and general crew. Many additional students will be working in house management, ticketing, technical crew and security; and parent volunteers are needed as well.

Ticket prices are $5 in advance, $6 at the door. Band room seating is limited, so reservations by purchasing tickets in advance is strongly advised. These tickets will be available after Thanksgiving from any cast member and can also be purchased during school lunch the week of the play.

For information phone 770-969-2840 extension 259, or e-mail Scramcat@aol.com.

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