Little Theater to be renamed as drama department welcomes new teacher, prepares for fall play “Tartuffe”

Amidst hype for the first drama production of the year and a competitive audition for the fall play, the drama club has set aside time to honor one of its most committed supporters.

On Sept. 13, the Little Theater will be dedicated to producer and costume designer Cathie Thermond for the incredible amount of work and time she invests into the drama department. The theater will be named the Cathie Thermond Drama Center.

Thermond’s role in the drama department began around five years ago when both her son and daughter attended the school and also participated in the drama department. Thermond began as a volunteer who helped out with costumes and now plays a major role in the drama department, producing shows and working on many aspects of the department. Even after her children graduated from Saratoga High, Thermond continued to volunteer and aid the department.

“Without her, shows wouldn’t happen,” drama club president Penny Burgess said. Each time there has been a new teacher, Thermond has helped keep the program going.

“She produces and makes costumes almost every show and has a huge part in making every show happen,” Burgess said.

The official naming ceremony will be followed by student performances and a reception with food.

In addition to the renaming of the Little Theater, the drama department also welcomes a new teacher. Although her teaching philosophies are markedly different from her predecessors, new drama teacher Karin Babbit has been well received by students. Previously, the drama department was more student-run with close bonds between all members.

“She has a very different style than we’re used to,” Burgess said. “Ms. Babbit has put a lot of work into changing the drama department, both the class and the shows, into a more professional environment. A lot of the ways she deals with things reflects real-world industry behavior.”

Babbit will be directing both the spring and fall plays. Despite this change, Burgess believes that the club’s dynamic has actually gotten better.

“We’re a lot closer as a department this year,” she said.

The first drama production of the year, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” will show the weekend of Sept. 9. Burgess, who is directing the play, said the musical is about “six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, who learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.”

The production will feature Gabby Crolla, Jimmy Zheng, Josh Harris, Mitchell McGuire, Natalie Miller, Laura Hannibal, Mia Hammond, Matt Nobles and Marshall Westall and is rated PG-13 for some mature content.

“I’m so incredibly excited for Spelling Bee because I’ve wanted to do it since my sophomore year,” Burgess said.

Auditions for the fall play called “Tartuffe” were held the week of Aug. 29 and it will be performed on Oct. 20, 22 and 24. “Tartuffe” is a French play that was originally written in 1664 about a man named Tartuffe who is a beggar whom people believe is a con artist.

“I assume it will be coming along well,” Burgess said. “We’ll be rehearsing for it for about two months.”

Last year was a very successful year of drama and the club is hoping this year will be even better.

“The department is truly my family, and I want nothing but the best for them,” Burgess said.