By Emerson Matushek
ROGERS, ARK. – For the first time at Haas Hall Rogers, juniors Jozie Moll and Lillian Wittersheim are ready to draw back the curtains and get the show started with Drama Club.
Drama Club will not just be a space to act in a play, but to learn the ins and outs of the art of theater, from its history to its production.
President Moll noted how, “Throughout the year, we’ll be working on producing costumes for it, making the set, working on lines. It’s a commitment, but it’s definitely worth it!” In order for members to perform their best, they’ll need to study from the best. Moll continued, saying, “We also talk about acting techniques, the history of theater, and why it’s important.”
Moll herself, of course, is an avid fan of drama, describing how, “It’s definitely a passion of mine. I’ve gone to plays, I’ve been in drama classes, etc.” “There’s so much that goes into theater that no one thinks about,” Moll expressed, “and I want to bring all of that to light.”
For their opening year, Drama Club’s first performance will be of Clue on Stage: High School Edition.
“Our main goal is to have a spring play sometime in April or early May,” stated Moll, clarifying how this will be the only production for the 2024-2025 school year.
While the decision wasn’t an easy one, members are excited for what they eventually landed on. The play will be directed by Drama Club member and freshman Clark Slevert’s mom, Nikola Cathcart-Slevert, who is an active member of the Arkansas theater community.
In Drama Club, everyone involved has a different role to play, quite literally.
“If you audition, you’ll get a part. It’ll be open to everyone, no matter your skill level,” said Vice President Wittersheim.
Role auditions were held October 18.
“It will be a commitment, but not difficult, per se. It will definitely include some after school lessons, even going past 3:25,” Wittersheim said.
It’s not just joining members who have their work cut out for them, with Wittersheim describing her responsibilities as including: “Help assign(ing) roles, help conduct(ing) auditions. I’ll help decide who’s going to be building what parts of the set and who’s managing the projects. Communicating with other clubs like art club…partnering with art club to commission them to make our background.”
Wittersheim and Moll have already selected some scholars to manage parts of the play production, such as juniors Max Costaldi as secretary and Quinn Matushek as set designer, and seniors Kate Kuehn as marketing manager and Emerson Matushek as prop manager.
Despite the scale of what Drama Club will produce, the club had humble beginnings, with President Moll hoping to create a space for creatives that wasn’t being filled prior.
“I wanted to create a Drama Club because we’ve never had a club like this before, and I think it’s a great opportunity for anyone wanting to learn more about theater or acting in general,” stated Moll.
Ultimately, the Drama Club was created as a way to share a passion for theater and unite the creative community of Haas Hall.
Drama Club is excited for their first year at Haas Hall, hoping to put on a full-scale performance of Clue that leaves audiences wowed. Break a leg!
