Detective Green, interrogates The Old Woman in the Shoe during a performance of “Law & Order – The Nursery Rhyme Unit” at Hilton’s Village Elementary School.Fairy tale characters competed in a game show and nursery rhyme characters were part of a detective’s investigation during two plays recently presented by the Village Elementary Drama Club.
In the first play, “Happily Ever After,” the Wicked Witch, played by Linzee Reyes, hosts a game show in which four fairy tale couples compete to win the coveted prize of being able to actually live happily ever after.
The second play, “Law & Order – The Nursery Rhyme Unit,” Detective Green, played by Will Czebatol, and his sidekick The Punnish Sir, played by Austin Holley, question a cast of nursery rhyme characters on the apparent homicide of Humpty Dumpty, who ended up just fine as a hatched chicken.
In its fourth year of productions, the Village Elementary Drama Club is for students in grades 3 through 6. The year begins in late November with three afterschool workshops that give students a chance to learn and practice acting techniques. Open auditions are held after school for those who would like a speaking part. Students can also volunteer for a supporting role, such as costuming, lighting and stage crew. The cast is announced the Friday before Christmas break so students can begin reading and memorizing their parts over the holiday break.
Rehearsals begin after break and are usually four to five times per week depending on the play. “This year, we rehearsed 30 hours for ‘Happily Ever After’ and about 37 hours for ‘Law & Order’ ” said Deb Lynch, Drama Club advisor. “We research various scripts and evaluate them based on cast size (not too big, not too small); quality of story/script; prop, costume and scenery requirements; and length of play.”
Adult volunteers for the plays included two costume moms, one hair and makeup mom, one concession stand coordinator, one program designer, and multiple helpers the night of the performances to supervise the actors when they’re not onstage and to help run the concession stand. Numerous families assist with getting costumes and props.
“Offering the students a chance to participate in the development and management of full stage productions gives them the opportunity to gain pride and confidence as public speakers, performers, and collaborators,” said Lynch. “For performers, the production helps develop their ability to creatively interpret a role. It is a powerful experience.”
