Twin Rivers High School drama students will hold their first in-person production this week, after a year and a half of pandemic interruptions.
“How To Succeed in High School Without Really Trying” is a comedy teacher Josh Hancock says students have had fun preparing for, and he believes the public will enjoy.
“It’s about this group of special agents that come into this assembly and comically tell students what they need to do to get by in high school by putting forth the minimum effort,” Hancock explained.
The public is invited to see the production at 7 p.m. Thursday at Twin Rivers High School in Broseley. Tickets are $2 for students and $3 for adults. There will also be a special production held Friday for students and staff, he said.
“We normally do (shows) twice a year, one in the fall and one in the spring,” Hancock said. “This is the first time we’ve actually been able to do a live production since the fall of 2019.”
A show in 2020 was canceled and another project was done as a video production.
“We’re very appreciative that we’re actually able to do live theater again this year,” Hancock said.
About a dozen students are involved in the production, some taking on multiple rolls.
“Getting to see the kids and them being able to show the talent that they have, that’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” said Hancock.
Students have been practicing since school started, once a week at first and then three to four times a week over the last few weeks.
“All of them participate in other things. Several are athletes, Scholar Bowl, or other extracurricular activities. Most of them work too and they’ve balanced it all. (I’m) really proud of them for that,” he said.
The play was written by Jonathan Rand.
Students performing in the play are: Hailey Buchanan as Mrs. Truckle and Agent Hamilton; Zoe Cookson as Agent Gilbright and the Valedictorian; Haylyn Crockett as Erica, Girl and Cindy; Dalton Eddy as Agent Baker, Karl, Party Goer and Timmy; Skylar Gonzalez as Agent Percy, What and Anna; Emma Head as Agent Ramsey, Jennifer and Beth; Raegan Null as Operator and Agent Barnes; Hannah Patterson as Agent Smith and Leonda; Ren Porch as Agent Richards and Walker; Glendon Siebert as Sorry, Quarterback, Creepy Guy and TV Announcer; Isaac Siebert as Robert and Trig; and Zoe Stratton as Agent Wilson, Felicia, Mrs. Zurm and Joan.