Theatre activity unlike the others

One moment, the girl standing beside you in a pink flowered top seems innocent enough. But when the lights go off, she transforms into a completely different person. When the lights turn back on, that sweet blonde is ramming into you like an untamed animal.

This was the assignment theatre students were faced with to understand the use of light in theatre.

Sophomore Katie Klakamp has been in theatre for three years now and still enjoys the lessons she’s learning in class.

“I’ve learned improvisation and how to let go of myself and become someone else,” Klakamp said.

While these are valuable tools in the theatre world, they’re not the reason why students enroll in this class. It is the wide range of diverse activities that leave a long-lasting impression.

Students in the seventh period main stage class were instructed to strike a bold pose when the stage was dark and once the lights turned on, they had to remain in that position.

“My favorite part of the assignment was being able to let go of myself and become the killing ram I am,” Klakamp said.

Junior Skylar Duvall also participated in the lesson and was a part of the “killing ram” pose as well.

“I think it was really intriguing because it’s something new. A lot of people hadn’t seen it before,” Duvall said. “My favorite part was getting to be an animal.”

Aside from horsing around, these students also learned an important lesson in theatre: willpower.

“The most uncomfortable part of the assignment was definitely pausing when the light was on. My arms were so tired,” Klakamp said.

Overall, these students really enjoyed the chance to jump into a different character and do something outside the traditional classroom. Pain was endured, lessons were learned, and art was made. Theatre has a way of making that happen every time a student steps on stage.

“I enjoyed this because I was taken out of my comfort zone,” Duvall said.

The class has given students like Klakamp and Duvall a chance to learn valuable skills of theatre while having fun and experimenting with new techniques at the same time. Klakamp has only one regret:

“I just wish there was another me to watch in the audience,” Klakamp said.