More than 70 local students are venturing outside of their comfort zone this summer to learn about theater.
Some have had to become acclimated to 1950s slang – like “baby” (cute girl), cool it (relax, settle down) and dig (understand, approve) as part of the Brandywine School District’s all new Summer Stock Theater Program.
Others have learned to put phrases in the proper context, such as the character Mrs. Peterson’s exclamation, “Wear your rubbers," a reference to a low overshoe made of rubber, usually worn in the rain.
And several students -- including some theater veterans -- are learning to dance or sing for the first time.
It will all add up to a production of “Bye Bye Birdie” at the end of this five-week program at Mount Pleasant High School, where 76 students from within and without Brandywine have immersed themselves in the craft.
Three weeks in, students have been honing their acting, stagecraft, set design, make-up and costumes – in addition to singing and dancing.
“We cover basics and get into doing characterizations with all of them and a little bit of improv and just an awareness,” said Summer Stock Theatre Program Director Tina Sheing. “It’s also teaching them teamwork, cooperation and discipline.”
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If you go . . . Brandywine School District Summer Stock Theatre Program presents Bye Bye Birdie Mt. Pleasant High School 7 p.m. July 24 and 25 2 & 7 p.m. July 26 $10 students & seniors $5 |
“Who can do teenagers better than teenagers?” she said. “There’s lots of parts available and that’s what we really wanted for the kids.”
In its inaugural year, the program is the brainchild of Superintendent James R. Scanlon, who modeled it after a program in Quakertown, the
Parent volunteer Gerri Weagraff said she is thrilled the district started an affordable theater program, which costs $150 per student. A regular at New Candlelight Theatre and Wilmington Drama League, Weigraff said the staff that run the program are “top of the line people.”
“I’m glad the district realized that a program like this could be so beneficial to kids,” she said.
Her son, Jordan, is playing the lead, Albert Peterson – Conrad Birdie’s manager. He is a rising junior at
“It’s been a great experience,” said Jordan Weagraff, an 11-year theater veteran. “I love theater and being with such a huge cast – it’s great to work with everybody.”
Among other challenges, Weagraff has been working on changing his voice so that he sounds like an adult when he sings in the production.
Kendra Eckbold, a rising junior at Concord High, enjoys working with such a wide range of ages. Eckbold plays the Spanish secretary, Peterson’s girlfriend.
“You get to help out the little kids if they’re nervous. Normally, they’re new to theater,” she said. “And it’s also good to be able to hang out with your friends from different schools.
“With every show you learn something different and pick up something new. You get different characters and hone in on your ability to become that character - angry or sad and depressed.”
Adam Montgomery, a rising sophomore at
“Before this I wasn’t really much of a dancer and they put me in the dancing chorus,” he said.
In addition, he has learned what it takes to put on a production of this scale, said Montgomery of Claymont.
“There’s like 75 people in the program and I’ve never been a production with this many cast members,” he said. “Any school can have a theater program but if they don’t really have the people or the tools to put on a great production, then they can’t do it. This program definitely has the right people and the right tools.”
