The ongoing educator strike has had major implications for the high school’s drama club, whose performance of “Make ‘Em Laugh” by Jason Odell Williams is set to premiere tomorrow night.
On November 8th, the School Committee announced that all school sponsored events would either be postponed or cancelled. After much advocacy from the community, the committee reversed their decision on November 15th. School Committee Chair Kathy Clancy stated in her city-wide email that “all activities are dependent on being fully staffed by the advisors or coaches,” meaning that Director and GHS Teacher Jessica Ruggles would have to cross the picket line in order to run rehearsals. The club hoped to continue under the guidance of parents who have worked with the club before, however, the School Committee is only allowing advisors to run these activities.
“The GHS theater program has a handful of parents, many of whom have had background checks done with the district to lead other activities, willing to step up and help run rehearsals and tech during the strike,” Ruggles said. “It’s disappointing that the School Committee would not allow the program to move forward under the guidance of these parents, to allow the drama club to move forward with their preparations for their fall play.”
Drama club rehearsals typically happen three to four times a week, with set builds once a week. Due to the circumstances, some students have taken initiative and planned rehearsals outside of school without Ruggles.
“I took the initiative to make rehearsals for us outside of school at the Magnolia Library so we are prepared and comfortable with the show,” GHS junior Emma Alves said. “I want the School Committee to make this over and done with so I can perform my show with my friends.”
The strike has also impacted tech week, which was supposed to start on on November 15th. During tech week, students involved in the show spend all week rehearsing and preparing at the school.
“[Tech week] gives us the time that we need to run the show and find what we like versus don’t and see it all come together,” Stage Manager Lauren Sargent said.
Not only is tech week necessary for actors’ performance, but it is also the key time to prepare the technical aspects of the production.
“The biggest concern with tech week is the amount of time it takes to ensure all lights, sound, and costumes are correct,” Ruggles said. “Thankfully the set is 99% done and student performers are off book, but tech is part of the magic that brings the story together.”
With the policy still in effect as the strike continues, the Drama Club has received permission from Uproar theatrics to reschedule the show for December 12th, 13th and 14th, with uncertainty for tech week time.
