Clarke Central High School sophomore Vasia London designs a poster for the drama department’s upcoming production of “High School Musical” in the black box on Feb. 28. London has participated in multiple CCHS productions, and appreciates the communal support from other students in the theater program. “(The drama department) makes most of our money ourselves, based off the (money from the) box office. So everyone coming to watch (and recognize) the hard two months we’re going to put into this show and just clapping and cheering for it is recognition of all our hard work,” London said. Photo by Natalie Ripps
The Clarke Central High School drama department will showcase its production of “High School Musical” in the Mell Auditorium on May 2-4.
This spring, the Clarke Central High School drama department is commencing preparation for its 2019 spring musical, “High School Musical”, which will be held in the Mell Auditorium from May 2-4.
CCHS fine arts department teacher Anthony Rucker has previously worked in multiple musicals with the school, and will take the role of the music director for this performance. As a primary organizer of the auditions, which were held March 6-7, Rucker hopes to find a collaborative group of participants to contribute to the music included.
“I always look for the blend of singers as they are on stage (where there is) teamwork. (I look at) how well they are able to learn their parts, how well they blend together and how well they are able to execute. That is my part of it,” Rucker said.
Rucker believes the production of a musical is a team effort containing a variety of different elements.
“(CCHS fine arts department teacher) Ms. Anderson, I know, has a big set of objectives in order to do the set, the blocking, lights, sound,” Rucker said. “Music is only part of it. It’s a musical, yes, but there are so many more things that are involved.”
CCHS junior Robert Isakovich plans on attending auditions and expects increased interest from the student body due to the popularity of the selected show.
“It’s definitely expected for musicals to be more sought after than plays, because it’s “High School Musical”, it’s once in a lifetime,” Isakovich said. “This is definitely going to be one of our bigger productions. We are already seeing a number of new faces interested in the show. Definitely more than usual.”
As the process begins, Rucker anticipates weeks of preparation to come.
“(Working together for production) takes daily practice and sometimes work on weekends, as well. (It takes) the daily work, the daily memorization, the daily learning of the songs and applying it so that all the things come together,” Rucker said.
