Spring Has Sprung in WHS’s Theatre Department

Even though Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and declared we will have 6 more weeks of winter, students at Waukee High School are excited to begin work on this year’s spring musical, Pippin. The musicals at WHS are a great way to bring many students together through the different parts of the show like singers, dancers, and actors to perform; musicians for the pit; and even students to work behind the scenes on a variety of different crews, working to put the show together from off stage.

Many students enjoy doing the musical every year, such as senior Finn Graziano, who stated, “I have been in the musical for the past two years, Mary Poppins and Spamalot, as a cast member.” And while many here at WHS get involved every year, there are many for whom this year will be their first. Students can join the musical for the first time during any year of their time at WHS, the largest group of students joining for the first time is usually sophomores, but this year it is the sophomores as well as their underclassmen, the freshmen, who are able to do the musical for the first time ever! A student who’s joining the WHS musical for the first time is Gemma Bingham, a sophomore, who stated, “I have never done the musical before, but I am so excited to!”  

Another group of students who perform on stage during Waukee High School’s musicals is the pit. They play a variety of different instruments on stage to provide the music the actors sing to. Due to the limited space on stage, they are usually a small but mighty band, but that does not stop them from giving unforgettable and challenging performances.

Junior Jessica Kratky plays clarinet and was also in the pit for Spamalot last year. She stated, “Being a part of the pit is a really fun and enjoyable experience because you get to play Broadway-level music, be with your friends, and be a part of a production as amazing as the musical!” The pit, just like the actors and crew, put incredible effort into learning and perfecting the music to give the audience an amazing experience. Kratky also stated, “Learning the music for the musical is challenging! It’s not watered down, it’s taken from the Broadway shows! So it is hard music.” Despite the challenges, the pit is able to work through them because of their collective effort and teamwork. 

Finally, the “behind the scenes” of Waukee High School’s musical: the technical crews (tech crew). Students are able to join a variety of different tech crews such as costumes, scenic (set), props, hair & make-up, lights, sound, and stage management. Students who join a tech crew aren’t limited to joining just one, while some students and I focus on only one tech crew, many join two or three tech crews.

Junior Sam Gifford is one such student, who intends to help work on scenic, paints, and costumes; if necessary. When asked about his favorite aspect of tech crew, Gifford replied, “I like the atmosphere that being in crew presents. I believe it to be a very carefree space and one that people often underestimate,” and “I really enjoy watching the set come alive and being able to lead other crew members to achieving a common goal.” Students at WHS who are interested in learning more about technical crews can take one of the technical theatre classes, Technical Theatre: Costumes/Make-Up, Technical Theatre: Lights & Sound, and Technical Theatre: Scenery & Props, all of which are single-term classes.

Graphic by Falyn DeBord using Canva