Theater is preparing for the upcoming year packed with plays, musicals and competitions.

“We’re kicking off the season with a straight play called Noises Off,” junior McKinnon Bell said. “For our one act we are doing a student edition of Avenue Q, in the winter we are having a showcase of class performances by students as well as a student written and directed play called 404. In the spring we are doing the musical Into the Woods.”

Bell also explained about the nature of competitions theater does.

“We will be competing in Individual Events which [involves] students preparing pieces from published plays and can range from monologues to ensemble musical numbers to costume construction,” Bell said. “It takes place at Blake on Oct.7.”

Despite the large amount of productions, Bell is not nervous.

“We have a very talented department in all aspects and we keep growing,” Bell said.

To be involved with the drama department also means attending rehearsals and other after school commitments.

“I am playing Poppy Norton-Taylor [in Noises Off],” junior Brenda Sanchez, who has a lead role, said. “We are all preparing by attending rehearsals every single day after school as well as watching videos of performances on YouTube and memorizing the script in our free time.”

Theater director Dan Franke is also excited for this year.

“Into The Woods has been one of those shows that is near and dear to my heart,” Franke said. “I was in the show, I produced the show for an All-State festival in Illinois a few years ago; I just have never directed it. I’m really looking forward to directing it.”

Besides directing, Franke is also looking forward to this year’s drama group.

“For me, as a theater teacher, I’m looking forward to watching students who have already started their tremendous growth continuing that,” Franke said. “The seniors this year were my babies… my freshman year here was their freshman year here… [I’m looking forward to] watching the kids grow and learn and succeed and the shows becoming more successful by filling the audience with people who are excited to be here,” Franke said.

Noises Off will run from Oct. 11-14 and is double-casted.

All photos by Taylor Harahan and Kit Longshore