By Jayson Henderson
The Clay Center Community High School drama department is preparing for a fall production of Newsies after a sudden change from their original plan to perform Mean Girls*. Drama director Megan Blackburn explained,
“The changes were not enough for our community”
The team, along with student input, quickly moved in a new direction.
“Mrs. Hughes, our Spanish teacher, has swung by and has said she’d just seen a production of *Newsies* and was like, ‘I think that this kid would be perfect for this part. And this kid would be perfect for this part’”. Blackburn continued,
“I mentioned that to the Thespians…they were like, ‘you know what, we completely agree’”.
*Newsies*, based on the 1899 newsboys’ strike in New York City, presents a more challenging production.
“This show went from being a just having a very little amount of choreography in *Mean Girls* to being a dance-heavy show”,
Blackburn noted, highlighting choreographer Kathryne Tipsword-Doster’s efforts. Despite the sudden shift, the students adapted well.
“The kids produce this thing from the acting to the sets to the costumes. It’s all designed by students”.
Performances are set for November 16th at 7:00 PM and November 17th at 2:00 PM at Martin-Snodgrass Auditorium.
