Caroline Drez

For this year’s spring production, the advanced drama class put on the production of “Taming of the Shrew.” With them being under the advisement of a long-term substitute teacher, various members involved with the production talk about the challenges and excitements leading up to this year’s performances.

This year, the Advanced Drama Class staged a production of “Taming of the Skrew.” It brought new energy to the stage blending classic Shakespeare theater with a modern twist.

Guided by their long-term substitute and student leads, the production reimagines “The Taming of the Shrew” in a fresh and engaging way. Originally, the play was written by Shakespeare but the drama class adapted it to a different setting in the 1950s. Their goal was to make the story more understanding to today’s audience.

“With our adaptation, we decided to do 1950s,” junior lead Anthony Lavallo said. “They made my character kind of a ‘greaser’ so I had to go for that mentality when it came to acting, but also with the Shakespearean language, just adapting it [to the 1950s].”

Along with the Shakespearean language being a big challenge, the drama department has been facing a recurring challenge for the past four years. In the past four years, the Starr’s Mill drama department has had four new teachers and directors.

With that many changes in leadership, most happening during a production, it is hard for the students to adjust to new teachings and practices. Every director is going to have a different approach. The major parts of this production are singing, dancing, and acting. 

Certain directors and teachers are going to value different parts more than others, which creates an everchanging atmosphere for the drama production. Although they faced these road-bumps, the students in the department have banded together and stayed strong.

“The one thing that has stayed constant throughout all of these new teachers has been us,” junior stage manager Allie Kemp said. “Having all these new teachers and having to adjust to these new skills has helped us grow not only as a team, but as people.”

Currently, the department is under the advisement of the long-term substitute, Director Will Evans. With these director changes, it means a whole new style will be shown in their upcoming projects and productions.

The department is now shifting all their focus to their annual spring musical. “Taming of the Shrew” was only a stepping stone compared to their spring musical, “Oklahoma.” You can see their next musical “Oklahoma” in the auditorium on April 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. and on April 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.