Drama preps ‘South Pacific’ with Thermond substituting and planning ITS trip

The drama department is currently planning its annual International Thespian Society Conference trip while rehearsing for its spring musical “South Pacific.” Program supporter Cathie Thermond has been substitute teaching drama classes since the beginning of December while usual teacher Karin Babbitt takes a leave of absence until January 9 to recover from hip surgery.

After finals in December, the drama department had a pajama party in the Thermond Drama Center.

“We’re all like a family,” drama club president Penelope Burgess said. The club decided to do this just for fun so they could bond, watch a movie, make ornaments and decorate a Christmas tree in the Christmas spirit.

In addition, the drama department has been rehearsing for their spring musical every day after school. “Rehearsals for ‘South Pacific’ are always really fun,” Burgess said. “It’s a very fun show to do.”

The musical, set during WWII, will be run in the McAfee Center during the weekend of March 9, and the cast of the musical rehearse almost every day after school whether it’s a vocal rehearsal or a dance rehearsal.

The musical will be feature musical direction from music theory and choir teacher Jim Yowell as well as dance choreography from principal’s secretary Sue Dini, who has previous experience in dance. Besides dancing and singing, the cast will start “blocking,” a term used to describe sitting upon stage, once their director, Babbitt, returns.

Since Babbitt has been recovering, Thermond, a parent volunteer actively involved with the club and for whom the Thermond Center is named, has been substituting for Babbitt. “She got her substitute teaching credentials just for us, which was really sweet!” Burgess said.

Planning further into March, the drama department will be taking their annual trip to southern California to attend the International Thespian Society conference (ITS) during the weekend of March 23.

The conference consists of thousands of people all from different high school drama departments. Students bring a piece to perform at the conference such as a monologue or a song. It features numerous stages and those who perform their piece really well get featured on the main stage to perform for everyone.

“It’s a really great bonding event, and it’s really amazing to get to be able to perform there,” Burgess said.