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Monday's Internet Edition, January 05, 2009.
Dillard Elementary student actors 'go green' in winter play
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Photo by Andrew Greene
Santa and Mrs. Claus, played by Austin Blair and Cynthia Williams, discuss protecting the environment as they perform in C.W. Dillard Elementary School’s winter musical production, 'Santa Goes Green,' on the evening of Dec.12.
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By Andrew Greene
River Valley Times Staff
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C.W. Dillard Elementary School’s Drama Club performed its winter musical production, “Santa Goes Green,” on the evening of Dec. 12. The school’s multipurpose room was packed with a cheerful audience as the young actors - all fifth and sixth graders - danced, sang and acted their way through a tale teaching the benefits of being kind to Mother Earth.
Teacher Matt Morse, the play’s producer, said that everyone who auditioned got a role, and the actors and volunteers put in countless hours worth of work to make sure that the play was a success.
Morse has produced two plays a year at the school since he started working there about 10 years ago. “Each time we put on a show, it’s a new musical and never a repeat,” Morse said. “I enjoy seeing the kids’ confidence increase. It is a challenge getting the children to express themselves, but they go from very being very timid to just blooming over the course of the rehearsals.”
Many of the actors appreciate the opportunity to be in a Dillard Elementary play, and some of them return to the school each year to continue to help out. Some of the returning volunteers at “Santa Goes Green” were Lindsey Blackford, Katie Wagner and Grant Morse. Wagner traveled more than 80 miles to lend a hand as the play’s prompter.
The cast was lead by Austin Blair playing Santa Claus; Cynthia Williams as Mrs. Claus; Michelle Gallacher as Rudolf; Adrian Carpenter playing the snowman; and Anna Cortopassi and Teneya Tollner as evergreen trees.
Over the course of the play, which was packed with musical numbers, the characters encouraged Santa to become more energy conscious during the Christmas season. Santa was initially reluctant to change his carefree ways, but as he learned about the environment he saw that it is indeed "cool to go green."
Sprinkled throughout the show were tips and reminders on what everyone could do themselves to make their own worlds a little greener. All of the lessons learned were summed up in song towards the end of the show with all of the actors signing the chorus, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”
The Christmas kids were played by Madison Jemes; Abbie Wheatley; Rudi Reid; Hannah Garrison; Justin Matsumoto; Friedrick Mehr; Isaac Lewis and Katelyn Kirkevold. The toy soldiers were played by Nile Redmond; Tyler Derrick; Alex Kurtz and Emmanuel Lewis.
The elves were portrayed by April Navarrete; Christian Sunderland; Cheyenne Lowden; Sumeet Gill; Mia Daniels; Allyson Monasterio; Michelle Samayoa; Andy Arosteguy; Sierra Hobson; Baylee Kessler and Esmeralda Anzaldo.
The reindeer were Hannah Mehr; Vicky Rosas-Pio; Cheyenne Barritt; Blake Leonard; Matthew Oliver; Meaghan Sterk; Lauren Vogt; Alan Veto and Megan Andrade.
The words and music were written by John Jacobson, Mac Huff and Matt Morse. The co-directors were Brian Baptista and Matt Morse. The backdrop was constructed by Jill and Matt Morse. The scenery was designed by Terri Garcia. The costumes and props were made by Liz Wagner, Baptista and many parents.
Chris Wheatley washed the costumes. The backstage manager was Julie Arosteguy, and added essence was provided by Edith Espinoza, Graciela Lewis and Julie and Sally Arosteguy.
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Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
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