Students set to perform annual theater showcases

By Ellie White

Starting April 28, the students in Theater I-IV classes will begin their separate showcase performances to end the year. On April 28, Theater III/IV will perform their showcase, Theater II will perform May 2, and on May 16, Theater I will perform their showcase. The showcases are directed by students and theater teacher Teresa De Zarn.

Theater III/IV will be “performing songs from High School Musical Jr. in a cabaret style,” McNicholas junior Lauren Steinkuhl said. Steinkuhl will be playing the supporting role of Ms. Darbus, and she believes that the theater showcases are important because, “It shows how we have grown as actors [and actresses] in our theater skills throughout the year.”

McNicholas senior and stage manager for the Theater III/IV, Eric Dill agreed. “I think the showcases can be very important when a class is excited to be a part of it and everybody contributes to create something,” he said.

Theater II will be performing two one act plays, the first which is When Shakespeare’s Gentlemen Get Together and the second is While Shakespeare Slept. “They are important, because they can show off all that we have learned through-out the year,” sophomore Victoria Gould said. Gould will be playing the supporting role of Cleopatra in While Shakespeare Slept. Sophomore Ian Rose believes students should come to support the showcase, “The more people in here the better as they say,” Rose said. Rose is playing the classic Shakespearean role of Romeo.

Theater I will be performing a monologue show called Bad Auditions for Bad Actors,

“The showcases give everyone an opportunity to be on stage,” sophomore Lauren Holaday said. Holaday will be playing two roles, Wendy and Maria.

“We can show that freshmen can always get roles, because freshmen usually don’t get roles in the big plays,” freshmen Adam Helwig said.

“It’s an easy way to see what the theater classes entail,” De Zarn stated. All of the showcases are free. In addition to the showcases, the McNicholas Improv Troupe will be performing in the Jeanne Spurlock Theater on May 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. each night. Cost is $3 student, $5 for adults.