What specific opportunities does Drama Provide for Students?
CAST: Students in grades 7th-12th Grade can audition to be a part of the on stage performers for the Fall Play, Winter Cabaret, or Spring Musical. These students rehearse tirelessly for months to put on three shows a year. You can participate in any of the three without an obligation to the rest of the season. Members sign up/audition for each show. Middle School participation is not always guaranteed if the content of the show does not allow for it.
CREW: Students in grades 7th-12th Grade can be a part of the crew. Crew students work backstage for the Fall Play & Spring Musical. Select technical students work on the Winter Cabaret. Crew members help with light, sound, run crew, visuals, costumes, and more! Perfect for theater lovers who don't want to be on the stage.
PIT: Pit is offered by audition to select 7th-12th Grade students for the Spring Musical each year. These students help to provide the music in our spring show.
What kind of shows does Drama perform?
FALL PLAY: The fall play is are striaght acting presentation of the year. This is perfect for students who don't want to explore music or choreography. We spend lots of time on acting basics. This show takes place in October or November.
WINTER CABARET: The winter cabaret allows students to have some say in the art they want to perform. The directing team picks a central theme for the cabaret, and then students come up with their own acts to make up the show. We welcome dancing, singing, acting, art, poetry, instrumental music - anything you can dream up! Students audition and present their act ideas, and then they receive rehearsal time and advice from the directing team. This show also has some student directing opportunities, and it takes place in January.
SPRING MUSICAL: The spring musical is our most involved show of the year, because it rehearses for 3-4 months (our other shows rehearse for two). This show includes singing, dancing, and acting - it is hard work! We ask that only dedicated students audition for this show. The show takes place in March or April.
About Our Spring Musical of 2022
With Broadway finally making its way back to the stage after a long hiatus, Drama at Columbia is following suit. This year, the Drama program is putting together a Spring Musical that is sure to wow audiences not just with student talent, but also with the resilience of our kids after a challenging couple of years. On April 8th and 9th, The Little Mermaid will grace the Columbia stage with dazzling costumes, exciting choreography, and musical talent.
The Little Mermaid is a Disney movie, originally based upon one of Hans Christian Anderson’s most beloved stories. The stage adaptation was created in 2007, and it has been growing in popularity for High School stages ever since. With Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a magical book by Doug Wright, this under the sea tale will capture your heart!
Rehearsals started in early January, and the cast has been perfecting their singing, dancing, and acting skills to fully become their characters. Sophomore Rachel Bledsoe, who plays Atina, said, “Rehearsals have been going well. We make a lot of progress every time we practice, and it's encouraging because you know you are just one step closer to having the show put together.” Rachel also acts as the Vocal Assistant for our production. The program is always looking for new opportunities to highlight student leadership.
The show is made up of 7th-12th grade students which has allowed for a wide range of abilities within the cast. Audrey Nixon, a seventh grader, plays Flotsam in the show, and she has especially enjoyed working with a variety of ages. “My favorite part about being Flotsam, one of Ursula's eels, is the chance to be a villain and share the role as an eel with Jetsam, Julia Hrebin [8th grader]…Working with high school students has been very enjoyable because they can always help you with your part, organize events, and teach you something new. I have truly enjoyed working with Ursula, Evian Meyers [9th grader], and connecting with her and the other high schoolers. I find the diverse age group interesting because all of us have different experiences in music and art.”
Ms. Dzielski is the new Drama Director and Choral Teacher for Columbia Local Schools, and she is appreciative of all the love and support she has already received from the Columbia Community. She is confident about her students’ ability to put on an amazing show, and she is looking forward to the future of Drama to come. Adrian Vives, a senior playing Prince Eric in the production, has this to say about the future of Drama: “ I hope that after I graduate I'll be able to come and watch even bigger and better productions from Columbia. Hopefully more and more people get involved and see how fun it can be!”
Please join us for the comeback of the Columbia Drama Program on April 8th at 7PM, and April 9th at 2PM and 7PM with The Little Mermaid. We look forward to seeing you under the sea!