By Lisa Carolin
One of the most popular places for Beach Middle School students to gather after school these days is the school’s media center. That’s where close to 50 students have been convening to participate in the school’s Drama Club.
The Club will be performing “Comic Book Artist” by Pat Lydersen at the end of February. Up until then, there will be plenty of rehearsals, soon moving to the stage.
Seventh-grade English teacher Jessica DeLand is the director and parapro Lana Jaworski is the assistant director of the Drama Club.
On Jan. 11, DeLand was assigning roles to students, who were busy highlighting their scripts and doing their first read through.
DeLand guided students through the reading and adjusted some lines with input from the cast.
The cast’s timing made the reading feel like it wasn’t the first time they had done it. Among the characters in the play are Wombat Woman, Star Girl, Triple Time and Blossom. They make up the play’s “Fabulous Four.”
Seventh-grader Jessica Stahl plays Blossom.
“Being in Drama Club helps build your confidence for class projects,” said Stahl.
“It’s a good way to meet people,” said Becky Hall, an eighth-grader, who plays Wombat Woman.
For seventh-grader Max Pastor, who plays Triple Time, the Club is a good outlet because he wants to be an actor and a comedian when he grows up.
“I talk to myself in the mirror,” he says. “I like being part of the Club because we have a lot of inside jokes that no one else would get.”
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Carolyn Pierce, an eighth-grader who plays Star Girl. “My mom helps me practice my lines.”
“I like to talk to my friends while being in character,” says Stahl.
DeLand says it’s important for students to have a creative outlet that lets them collaborate with their peers.
“I really believe that drama is so important because it provides a safe place for all types of students to be creative.” said DeLand. “For many students, this is a place they can belong and be welcomed as well as have a great time expressing themselves.”
“Comic Book Artist” will be performed on the Beach Stage on Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m., and tickets are free.
