The Senior Showcase put together by Poplar Bluff High School drama students created a feeling of family and togetherness, according to crew members.
The skits were written, directed and performed by students, including seniors Charlee Deaton, Alyssa Roy, Abby Murphy, Salem Blasingame, Maggie Jett and Raine White. They were performed Saturday at the Kay Porter Theatre.
“Seeing students take on a leadership role and put their own spin on these silly scripts has made me proud,” said PBHS Drama Director Nick McDaniel. “They each had the opportunity to share about their experience in the club and hearing their testimonies makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
“I am so excited to see what they accomplish in their final year, but I am sad to know they won’t be back next year. They have the unique opportunity to be role models for the younger club members, and this will solidify them as leaders in the club.”
The short skits with titles such as Double Blind Date, Out of Retirement and Sitcom were enjoyed by a crowd of many Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, and students said they’ve learned many valuable lessons from the experience.
“I think the people in drama club really love drama and when everyone is dedicated at the same rate, then it makes it much more enjoyable,” Destiny Jackson, a sophomore at PBHS, said.
Jackson said it was her goal to go into entertainment in whatever capacity she could in the future.
Senior Maggie Jett shared that sentiment and said she intends to obtain her cosmetology license after graduation, but still hopes to incorporate theater in her future.
“I could help with stage make-up for drama,” said Jett.
Freshman Evelyn Nelson said she intends to study business in the future, but values the time and connections she has made in drama.
“It is my first year, but I have met a lot of people really easily and they have all been willing to talk to me, help me and let me know what I need to do, so I really appreciate that,” she said.
One senior spoke of the trials of being in a new school and the obstacles she felt she had overcome by being able to be a part of something she felt was important.
“It helped me to realize a lot of who I am,” Blasingame said with a smile. “I went from not being able to express myself at all out of fear of being ridiculed and teased for it — to being somewhere that I can.”
Sophomore Harley Stillwell said, “I have created such tight bonds, I have made some forever friends here and I think that is the best part of this entire thing.”
Murphy is another PBHS student who is passionate about drama. She values her role as the second-year drama club president. Murphy said she has been involved with the drama club for her entire high school career and plans to continue her education in film study.
“My plan is to attend Mizzou and get my degree in film studies and I would like to become a director myself,” she said.
Sophomore Drew Noble is in his second year of drama club and he performed in several of the senior skits.
“We’re all just like one tight-knit family. We’ve made a lot of really good friends here and a lot of really great bonds,” said Noble.
McDaniel said the next event students will be working on will be an improv show called “Law and Disorder: Comedic Crimes Unit,” which will be held in November.