Written by Madi Adams
For many theatre kids, getting a lead or being part of a musical is only a dream. But for some, this dream became reality through the fall musical and community theatre. In the fall, the AHS musical directors selected Shrek The Musical. Many students went to work, practicing for auditions, hoping for a role. The cast list was later released: Elijah Garrett as Shrek, Catherine Hart as Donkey, and Adeline Reynolds, Hannah Severson, Natalee Reemstma, and Sophia West-Struecker as the Fionas. Other major roles were: Ryley Riggert as Lord Farquaad, Kennedi Blair as Pinocchio, Ada Kortenber as Gingy, as well as many AHS students as fairytale creatures and chorus.
All of the students in the musical spent many late nights at the school, working hard to make the show come together. The show took about three months to complete and perfect, with showings on November 2 & 3, 2024. The AHS Theatre department will greatly miss all seniors graduating this year: Emma Smith, Cadyn Samp, Chance Studer, and Flynn McCann on crew, as well as actors Madi Adams, Severson, Riggert, and Reynolds.
Shortly after the fall musical, auditions for the community All-Call Theatre show, Beauty and the Beast Jr. began. Many AHS students were involved in the community musical as well as many students from Bishop Garrigan and surrounding communities. AHS students involved in the musical were Severson as Madame de la Grande Bouche, Garrett as Beast, Grace Luitjens as Lefou, Jada Roberts and Kortenber as Les Filles de la Ville, Reynolds as Mrs. Potts, Adams and Hart as narrators, as well as Karlee Kahler and Braxton Whitacre as supporting roles and chorus. One actor, Adeline Reynolds, participated in both musicals. She says, “I thought Shrek was good, but Beauty and the Beast Jr. was even better!”
The community theatre is a great experience and chance for high school kids to be involved in something bigger than a school-related event. Beauty and the Beast Jr. was a family-friendly, enjoyable show for everyone. The cast worked hard to get in as many practices as the weather would allow and performed one showing on January 17th and two showings on January 19th.
Overall, both musicals were a success and AHS students are excited for what next year may bring!