OHCHS students: The show must go on!

OXFORD HILLS — Since the beginning of the school year, the position of Director/Advisor to the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School (OHCHS) drama club has been vacant. 

Still, the students have bravely soldiered on alone, teaching themselves, studying their craft, and staging performances.  But now it appears all of their dedication and hard work may have been expended in vain.  Because, if the director's seat is not filled immediately, this award winning team will end up banned from participating in the Super Bowl of their discipline: the annual Maine State One-Act Play Festival.

That news that an adult director was required to participate hit the young thespians hard.

"I was extremely disappointed," said Kaitlynn Getchell.  "I can't even imagine not going."

Oxford Hills students have a long history of success in the one-acts, as they're called for short.  Although it occurred before their arrival on the stage, drama club members still take pride in the fact that their school won the top award — Best Overall — "in the late '90s."

More recently, some of the current actors were part of a Best Ensemble Cast award in 2001, when they fielded a team of 64 players to produce 'A Midsummer's Night's Dream.'  Last year, the group took away a special Best Costuming award for their creative use of masks.

"We have always had members that get All-Cast awards," said Brandon Pike, president of the drama club.

Unfortunately, it appears that this impressive string of victories is about to be broken.

The OHCHS drama club has been in existence for more than twenty years, performing under the sobriquet of 'The Dionysian Players.'  For most of this time, they studied under the direction of Sally Jones, a drama and journalism teacher at the high school.

Jones retired two years ago, at which time the director/advisor position passed to her former student, Amanda Huotari. 

Houtari was not a teacher — the director role is a stipend position that can by filled by any person approved by the school board.  However, she was a trained actor, working towards a Master of Fine Arts degree. 

But recently, Houtari's own theatrical career, which includes performing at the Oddfellow Theater in Buckfield, began to consume more of her time.

"Her work obligations simply became too much," said high school Principal Joe Moore.

Jones has subsequently returned to teaching "one third time", but a recent battle with cancer has left her unable to pick up again after Houtari's departure.

"She just doesn't have the energy, or the time," said English teacher Geoff Morrell.

And, as it turns out, neither did anyone else.  The search for Houtari's replacement began last summer.  Moore stated that the position was posted "both in-district and out-of-district."

When the students returned from summer vacation, eager to begin work on their fall production — usually their biggest and most important project after the one-acts — a director still had not been found. 

"There just has not been a teacher who has been able to take on the role full time," said Moore.  "Teachers are [already] stretched right to the max."

"There are really a tremendous amount of hours that go into supervising a fine arts activity of this type," said Moore.  "Generally, what the public sees is the finished product of a great performance, but they don't see the hours and hours [of preparation] that went into it."

Drama students estimated that they usually meet two or three days a week, after school.  These sessions last, on average, nearly three hours.  But, as cast and crew close in on opening night, those meetings can run to "easily 20 hours a week."

"There were a couple of new teachers that were interested," noted Morrell, "but it's real tough coming in as a new teacher, first year teaching, to take on something like this.  It's actually ill-advised for them to take on an advisorship role right away."

No one interviewed thought it fair to say that anyone who might have voiced a sincere interest had been actively discouraged.  But, as can often happen, it was easy for many of those who might have volunteered to get lost in other priorities.

"People have said that 'Well, it would be nice to do it, but. . .'" said Getchell, before trailing off, unable to complete the sentence.

For a moment the spark, that passion for the arts, seemed to flicker and dim in her young eyes.  It was as if she couldn't possibly imagine what else could have been so important that not one person in an entire school district was willing to step in to fill the void in her heart.

But to Getchell's credit, she is not bitter.  None of the students are.  At least not concerning their teachers.

Merely "disappointed," they say, is a better description.

"Really, I can't expect that [time commitment] out of them," said Getchell.  "I just so wish that there was someone else that has a lot of time on their hands, or that just really wants to spend the time with us and come in and help us out."

"We would take any help at this point," implored Moore, noting that no formal training or teaching certification is required.

But while the students harbor no ill will towards teachers unable to give of themselves, they are less charitable towards the district administration.

Where SAD 17, as a unit, is concerned, do any of the students nurture hard feelings?

"Actually, I do," said Getchell.  "I think that drama is an integral part of [our education.] You know, this is awesome stuff!  I feel like the school board, or the district, doesn't even recognize it.  And they're not even trying [to find a director] to help us.  But, you know, the football team gets new uniforms."

"If we had been a sports team, they would have wasted no time in searching for someone else," said Abigail Rogers, a senior member of the club.

"They would have searched high and low if it [the vacancy] had been the football coach," agreed Getchell.

"Athletics are a priority in this school, and sadly the arts. . ." said Pike, before trailing off, like Getchell, in an uncharacteristic moment of disillusionment.

"They're falling by the wayside," said Rogers, picking up and finishing Pike's thought.

"I do know that [SAD 17 Superintendent] Dr. [Mark] Eastman is an advocate for the arts," Morrell interjected, "probably more so than a lot of administrators.

"It's tough right now, with all of the [regulations] coming down from government, both state and federal," continued Morrell.  "Extra-curriculars like this actually do get put on the wayside in place of making sure that everything is in place and making sure that students are going to be certified to graduate."

Still, it is perhaps telling of the disconnect between students and the school administration that Principal Moore seems to credit the wrong group with keeping the drama club going though a very difficult period.

"We have a very strong group of seniors who are involved," said Moore, in a separate interview.

But the members of the drama club recall recent events differently.  Pike and Getchell are both juniors, and both indicate there are actually few seniors still active in the club. 

Rogers, one of a handful of those in the graduating class still involved, recalls how the school year began.

"I remember at the beginning of the year we hadn't started up yet and kids were posting messages on the BBS [bulletin board system] saying, 'We have to do something,'" she said.

Rogers did indeed do something, taking the student's plight to media art teacher Nancy Marcotte.

Marcotte agreed to step in and help out as much as her schedule would allow.  Known affectionately as the "tech guru," Marcotte has worked with the drama club for more than 20 years as an artistic director and stage manager.  However, she was unable to take on the director's role full time, being hampered by two graduate courses she is currently taking.  In addition, Marcotte must dedicate time to the curriculum coordinating committee that oversees all staff development for the district.

Still, the students are grateful for what time Marcotte has been able to donate to their efforts.

"She's given us so much," said Pike.

And Morrell has stepped up to offer as much support as he can as well. 

Despite being on "five or six committees, plus the leadership team," and the fact that he commutes from Portland, Morrell has been acting as the club's lighting director, dedicating "close to 15 hours" leading up to the group's holiday performance.

Even without a director, the drama club has still managed to make the curtain.  But, with a measure of humility, they note that their recent show was "just a reading, really."

"We didn't have enough time, and we didn't have any money," apologized Getchell, "so it's just, like, storytelling."

Still, even with their "ups and downs," that they have been able to keep the group functioning at all is impressive.

"Considering that we haven't found a director yet, we're still doing fairly well," said drama club member Carl Langbehn.

"We sort of skirted around the fact that Ms Marcotte can't be there all the time," said Getchell, "and so we've had our own rehearsals in her room, led by either Brandon or Hannah."

Hannah Brown is a sophomore who put together an adaptation of "T'was the Night Before Christmas" for the drama club's recent "reading."  For that performance, Pike also adapted "A Christmas Carol."

"We've had a lot of student direction," said Pike.  "We've just all banded together [and] worked together to do this.  I mean, we just really have so much participation.  We have a great group.  Everyone works together the best that we can to make this the best experience that we can."

The drama club includes "around 30 students" representing each class.  As a team, they have pulled together to make sure that the lights do not go out on the Dionysian Players.  And while some take part simply as a fun extracurricular activity, others gaze longingly towards a career in the field.

"Well, I'd love to have a career in the performance arts," said Getchell, "but I don't think it's going to happen.  If I did have a lot of that training [now being missed] then I know I would feel more confident in my abilities than I do now.  And so, my outlook would be brighter and everything.

"I think that this is so important," Getchell added, "I learn more here than I do in some classes. I'm [still] learning, but I know I'd learn a lot more [with an advisor.]"

Drama club participants agree that their time involved is well spent, providing them with a hands-on approach in applying skills from many of their other classes. 

"Some of the classes that kids take here, just to get credits, this is so much more of an effective way of learning things," said Rogers.

Citing several examples, the students noted that reading and interpreting plays serves to exercise their literature skills.  Learning the attitudes and values that were important within those plays, in the time periods they were written, is an exploration of history and social studies.  Math and engineering skills are put to the test in constructing sets and staging lights.  Rigging those same lights, as well sound systems, involves learning computer technology.

Theater work, these students believe, exercises a different set of mental muscles than those used in the classroom.  Their time spent here, after class, takes that class work "to the next level."

And the synergy goes both ways. 

"Learning lines improves rote memorization skills," Morrell said.  "And it [interpreting roles] improves abstract thinking, which is [a component] throughout
the Maine Learning Results."

"Careers can also lead into public speaking," said Pike, "It [acting] gives you the courage, so that when you leave high school, if you ever have to make a presentation, or a speech, we know that we can do it now."

It is what Morrell refers to as "the self-esteem factor." 

But Rogers, especially, is keenly aware that this self-esteem is on the line, not only for the group now in high school, but for younger students as well.

"I think that the high school drama club is something that all the younger kids look up to," she said, noting that she had worked with fourth through sixth graders.  "They were really excited because they knew when they grew up, when they got to high school, there would be a drama program there for them.  But the way things are going, there won't be. 

"So someone needs to step up," Rogers stressed.  "I want to see the other kids have this, just because of the opportunities that I've had.  I've been to one-acts every year since I was a freshman and you get to be in an environment with other kids that are also involved in drama."

And there is a concern that this aspect, at least, of their program, could well wither on the vine if a director is not found.

"We'll probably keep going the way that we are now," predicted Pike.  "But one-acts, probably, eventually, just won't happen each year because we can't find a director. 

"So eventually, that half of the drama club will probably die.  But, hopefully we will have enough student participation to keep it alive as best we can.  If we can't put on a performance, we can at least work on acting techniques and some type of improvisation."

Morrell noted that, if no director can be located, the stipend money for the position — just $1,200 annually —  might be used to "bring in some Shakespeare people" to conduct various workshops.

Drama club members agree that, while this is a compelling idea, it is hardly the ideal solution.  What is really needed, they say, is someone willing to step in and fill the role of director and advisor.  And, somewhat tellingly, they would prefer more than just a warm body in order to make the one-acts.

"A positive attitude," is the unanimous request.

Anyone who believes that they can meet that prerequisite, who is truly interested and motivated to make a difference in the lives of some very special kids,  should direct inquiries to Marcotte.  She will then take that applicant's name to the school board.

Marcotte can be reached from the high school's main telephone number, 743-8914, or through her e-mail address (nmarcotte@sad17,k12,me.us) with the school district.

And of course, anyone who wants to learn more about happenings in the performing arts at OHCHS is "always welcome" at the booster meetings.  These functions are held on the first Wednesday of each month, in the high school band room.

Even if someone, otherwise interested, is unable to take on the role permanently, the drama club would still be glad accept an ad hoc, or interim, advisor willing to work 15 to 20 hours per week until the one-acts in March.

But that person needs to submit their name soon.  Technically, the Dionysian Players have already missed their opportunity for the 2005 One-Act Play Festival.

"There's still a chance," said Morrell.  "The [entry] deadline has passed, but the council has accepted schools past the deadline in the past.  So that's the hope.  That we could get a director and that the council would allow us to go into the one-acts."

"Ohhhh, ohhhhh, ohhhhh, my gosh! That would be so incredible," cried Getchell, who had assumed the club's chances had already been squandered.

With an air of mild dejection, Pike then returned to his previous sports analogy.

"You know, sports teams get to practice all year for their finals, their state championships and what-not. 

"We just want to practice all year for our one-act festival.  That's our state championship," he said. 

It is an apt comparison, but one that can be taken further still.  Because, if an advisor is not found, and found soon, the Dionysian Players will not just miss the playoffs, they won't even get a chance to take the field.