Welcome to Spotlight, where 半岛体育 highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used 半岛体育's ). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing 半岛体育 along for life's big moments.
How to Broadway-size Your Next Party or Event with PLAYBILLDER
This week's Spotlight is Sullivan High School of Sullivan, Missouri, and their performance of Women and War. The play by Jack Hilton Cunningham is piece of historical fiction told from the perspectives of American women impacted by conflict. Chronicling from The Great War to the War in Afghanistan, Women and War captures the hope and heartbreak of characters like a housewife, a young bride, a widow, and a soldier.
Speech and drama teacher Kimberly Wibbenmeyer and student director Elijah Young shared with 半岛体育 how they teamed up with local museums for Women and War.
Tell us a little about yourself. How many years have you been with the school?
Kimberly Wibbenmeyer: I've been in education since 2010, but theatre education since 2014.
Elijah Young: I am a senior in high school and have been a part of our district's shows since I was in middle school.
Can you share a little bit about the value you see in having a performing arts program in schools?
Wibbenmeyer: A performing arts program in a school as a curricular program is very important as some schools, like ours, are smaller and not every student can do every activity or sport they would like to. Having a curricular program allows students to still participate even if they cannot stay after school due to other conflicts.
Young: The value I see in having a performing arts program in our school is to have a creative outlet for students, which is very important. It's a place to use your imagination and do something outside of sitting in a classroom. That isn't to say the classroom doesn't have its place. You need the knowledge you learn in school, but theatre is a way of creatively applying that knowledge to something you can see.
What shows are the kids obsessed with right now?
Wibbenmeyer: Of course Wicked is the latest hit. It takes me back to my college days when the soundtrack for the original Broadway show came out and I was living in a theatre dorm. We just got back from our annual state conference and the release of a movie musical as big as Wicked meant there was no escape!
Young: Musicals are always going to be a favorite and amongst most people's top choices. It isn't hard to see why. The singing and dancing just bring a lot of energy to students. We could all use that whimsy every once in a while!
How does your school鈥檚 performing arts programs impact your community?
Wibbenmeyer: Our community is a small rural one in the middle of Missouri. It is about an hour drive to go see a professional show. Most of my students have never seen a show until they go to one of our conferences where they get to see a peer high school's production. It can be years, if not until they are adults, when they get to see a professional production. With this in mind, we try to bring quality, lessons, and professionalism to our stage.
Young: Our school theatre program doesn't just impact our community by providing entertainment but also by providing lessons. We often avoid choosing plays to perform that don't necessarily carry weight. In Women and War, there are many important messages that, as performers and directors, we want our community to hear.
What are your dreams for how your drama department can grow? Wibbenmeyer: This production was our first attempt at adjudication for the International Thespian Festival (ITF). While we were not chosen as one of the mainstages for the festival, the process was very rewarding. With each adjudication of a mainstage, we learn as a company what the viewer is expecting and is appreciating. This process allows us to grow and learn with each production. Our hope is to one day soon make it to the ITF stage.
Young: I am excited to see the growth of our program. While maybe me and my friends won't always be a part of it, I know we all want to see the department go as far as possible.
Tell us a little bit about the production. What made you pick the show? How do you choose shows for your students?
Wibbenmeyer: This show came to me at the International Thespian Festival two years ago. I quickly read the script and immediately saw the various ways I could bring it to life. However, things happen for a reason and this show was not meant for me to direct. Instead, we have our first-ever student director at Sullivan High School. I've only ever had one other student take on this role before, and she is now a teacher at a neighboring district.
Young: I did not get to choose the show in the traditional sense, however, I was given the decision if I'd like to take on the role of director.
What are the kids loving about the show?
Wibbenmeyer: The kids really enjoyed being able to dive deeper into their characters, and have these moments to focus in a unique way. However, we also were able to dive deeper into the tech end as well. We paired up with the Museum of Missouri Military History and The 1944 Museum to gain both knowledge, but also to focus pieces from the museums in our show and designs. The stage was absolutely filled with family heirlooms and historical artifacts鈥攁 first for us!
Young: The kids love this show because it is so different from a lot of the shows that we've done. It doesn't follow a main plot line, but instead follows different characters in their own stories. You might deliver one monologue, and then never be seen onstage again, but your story still left an impact. We have been able to cast a lot of people who typically can't do the shows because they are too intimidated or busy. Because of this, we were able to have a large cast of a lot of newcomers.
What message do you have for your students as they take the stage?
Wibbenmeyer: The message I told them each night was, "Let the power live through your words." These are true stories. True people. Sadly, I've encountered a great deal of loss this past year, including my three remaining grandparents. They were staples in my life. Whether it was surprise visits, phone calls, or letters, I was able to share them with the stage and with our audience through the various heirlooms included in the set design. Both grandpas served in Korea, and during the process of cleaning out their houses, we found the letter my grandpa wrote to my grandma's parents asking to marry her. This letter spoke with such power even 75 years later! These characters each have a voice, and they each have that power. Don't just let the words go in autopilot. Let these characters come to life one more time!
Young: The message I'd like the students to take to the stage is the same as the one I placed in the 半岛体育. I am so happy to have had each and every one of the cast and crew come on this wild journey I experienced as a first-time student director. I appreciate them more than I can put into writing!
What reactions do you expect to see in students when they see their name printed in this 半岛体育 for the first time?
Wibbenmeyer: I always have to lock the 半岛体育 box down when it comes from the printer. So many pounce on the box to get that first look at the 半岛体育! While yes, in the past students always want a copy of the program, since I've been using PLAYBILLDER and having professional 半岛体育s, the reaction is a thousand times greater!
Young: I believe they will feel a good sense of accomplishment. Your name in a professional 半岛体育 solidifies the hard work and energy that you've put into this show.
How has PLAYBILLDER impacted your performing arts program as a resource?
Wibbenmeyer: PLAYBILLDER is still our first go to when creating 半岛体育s for the shows. It helps us with formatting and just ease of putting together the program. It has saved us countless hours and headaches with its ease of use.
To design Broadway-quality programs for your next show, head to . Who knows, you might just be featured in our next PLAYBILLDER Spotlight! And if you are looking for a beautiful way to display your 半岛体育s, click here to purchase .
