The Second Annual Winter Theaterfest: Sheldon Invitational
Local Drama students join for full group photo at Sheldon
Julio R. Sanchez
February 13, 2012
Filed under Arts and Entertainment, Top Stories
Over 200 actors from schools all across the Elk Grove district joined together at Sheldon High, the hostess school, for what was to be the second annual Winter Theater Festival. From 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, each school’s drama club presented a number of performances ranging from skits and monologues to whole sitcoms and full one-act plays. Though no competition took place this year, everyone still gave it their all and put on a great show. Each school’s own genre of plays plus the contrast of actors presented a plethora of entertainment that captivated the minds and provoked thought – welcoming smiles and laughs. Throughout each performance the mood of the theater varied in accordance to the scene. The audience experienced a vast shift of emotion, from sheer terror to comical gut-bursting laughter to cute hand-holding romance. Despite the differing variety of plays, it all blended together naturally like a recipe for the perfect performance, some with spicy romance and others with bitter comedy. Amongst the variety, one common playwright caught friction with many schools. Popular scenes by English poet, William Shakespeare, became the theme for multiple renditions of classic plays. More particularly the play of Hamlet, consistent of a dark and serious tone, was conceived in a lighter and more comical approach by few groups, including our very own drama club in their production of “The Rules of Comedy”, student directed by senior, Dalven McClain.
Monterey Trail closed the festival as the final act, stealing laughs and smiles from the audience, for Sheldon had saved the best for last. Although the history of Friday the 13th presents much misfortune, our drama students “broke a leg” and shook off the old superstitions as they presented their standing ovation worthy performance.
The whole festival ran smoothly thanks to the drama teachers from each school organizing this event to provide an opportunity for students to showcase their talents and meet fellow actors. During intermissions, mixing and mingling was encouraged to meet people from other schools and exchange a word or two about their drama program. Technical crew members, such as myself, gathered and shared experiences working the lights and setting props for different productions. Lunch was generously provided by “Noodles& Company”, and more students formed new acquaintances and invited each other to their upcoming spring plays.
We now wait in suspended awe for the upcoming production of the musical adaptation of the classic children story, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” to be presented from March 16th to the 24th, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 pm. Admission is $10 General/ $8 Students & Senior Citizens/ $6 Children 11 and under. Come on out and support your Monterey Trail drama department!
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