Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to interview some of the cast and crew of the Umatilla High School Drama Club. We discussed the rebirth of the drama program, this year’s production, and more.
Something you may not know is that the Drama Club was not always active in Umatilla High School. Abby Daniel (12th) reports that she used to attend Hermiston High School before coming to Umatilla. Abby reports that she had experience in theater in her previous school, and wanted to continue to explore on-stage opportunities, but there was no real way for her to do so at UHS. At least, not yet.
During the 2021-22 school year, a group of students successfully advocated for school staff and administration to revive the drama club. Since then, the club has grown in both members and supporters. The drama club now consists of about 20 students, including both the cast and crew members. Cast members play roles on stage, crew members are responsible for elements behind the scenes, such as audio, lighting, set build, and set design. Some students double-dip, and help wherever they can.
Auditions for this year’s play were held in late February, and the cast began reading for their parts in March. This year’s production is a comedy that will be sure to entertain children and adults alike. Clint Hill, Drama Club Advisor, reports that one of the most fulfilling things for him to see is how the productions have been received by the community, and how the audiences grow with each show.
When asked about how club members stay motivated through the rehearsal process, Mischa Hill (12th) shared “I think it’s the fact that when you are performing and you are not doing your best, people can tell. Like if you stumble over your lines, it’s kind of obvious.” Abby adds to this, “For me, it would have to be the internal desire to put on a good show. It can be annoying in rehearsal if people forget their lines, nobody wants to be that person. At the end of the day I think it’s just the want [desire] to put on a great production that motivates me.”
Eden Enkey (11th) is also part of the drama club. Instead of being in the cast this year, they will be back stage, focusing on set build and design. Eden offered that this year, they learned about how much work is happening “behind the wings.” On their difficult days, Eden finds motivation by reminding themselves that this is what they love to do and that it will be worth it in the end. Hill responded that he finds motivation by knowing that there was a hunger to perform, and he was able to provide students the opportunity to do so.
Catch the UHS Spring Production Junie B. Jones is not a Crook on Opening Night, May 9th, 2024 at 7pm.
Performances: May 9th, 10th and 11th at 7pm. Admission is free for the public.