The theater programs of all three Caldwell County high schools are participating in an unusual collaboration that will soon culminate in performances of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Broyhill Civic Center.
The project began with a Bright Ideas Awards grant from Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp. and North Carolina's electric cooperatives. This grant program provides funds for projects not covered by the regular school budgets and is intended to enhance local education programs.
South Caldwell High School teacher Beth Woodard pursued the grant, with the help of teachers Evette Hagan (West Caldwell), Joshua Scott (Hibriten) and Gina Scott (Davenport Elementary). These four would proceed to roles in the production.
Woodard became artistic director. She has been the theater teacher and director at South Caldwell High School for 13 years. She has also directed and performed with Foothills Performing Arts, Old Colony Players and Western Piedmont Community College.
Joshua Scott is technical director. He is theater teacher at Hibriten High School and serves on the board of directors for Foothills Performing Arts. His wife, Gina, directed the elementary students from Davenport. Hagan is also a director.
Woodard's husband, Mark, joined the team to edit Shakespeare's 3 1/2 hour script to 2 hours. He also choreographed the fight scenes. Mia Self is the voice coach.
The $1,500 grant to produce "Romeo and Juliet" was a means to several goals. First was to provide a performance opportunity for the county's theater arts students. Plus the ninth-grade students who study the Shakespearean play get to see it staged.
This first-time collaboration across the county also offers a unique experience for students across the county to work together as a part of a larger group. In addition to the students from all three high schools cast in the play, students at Davenport Elementary School also perform.
The stage crew has constructed an Elizabethan set. Professional costumes have been rented from New York.
And as if that were not enough to impress, live music will be provided for each of the four performances by Puddingstone, Caldwell County's unique musical group, with the mix of ancient and modern instruments making an exceptional fit.
The cast includes 40 students. Romeo is played by Hibriten's Caleb Sigmon. Megan McNeil of South Caldwell is cast as Juliet. Other major players are Isaac Gambrell (South Caldwell) as Friar Lawrence, Nailah Robinson (West Caldwell) as Tybalt, and Sarah Beth Potter (Hibriten) as the Nurse.
High school students completing the cast are: Emily Flanagan, Ashley Robinson, Ryan Brown, Lee Vapniarek, Joe Gillum, Alex Queen, Kayla Miller, Nathan Pope, Miranda Arnett, Tyler Winkler, Jennifer Hamilton, Jesse Hagan, Tory Thomas, Hannah Presnell, Gini Arnold, Amanda Ratliff, Amber Bentley, Cheyanne Laws, Candice Simmons, Trey Ellis, Savannah Wade, and Emma Starnes.
Students cast from Davenport Elementary are: Hannah Smart, Thomas Mullally, Ajaila Corpening, Suzanne Bradshaw, Gwyneth Stanislaw, Yazmire Witherspoon, Tucker Green, Colby Davis, Michael Terry, and Kiersten Scott.
Logan Stamey of Hibriten is the stage manager. Ethan Aiken of South Caldwell is in charge of set design and the light technician.
The rest of the tech crew includes: Ricky Arnold, Kate Barlowe, Michelle Beard, Jessica Blackburn, Ashley Causby, Zeke Lozano-Escobar, Amanda Goble, Evette Hagan, Chelsea Isenhour, Nate Lambert, Ashley McDowell, Taylor Parsons, John Phillips, Jeromi Poston, Hellem Quivera, Matt Rich, Jackie Smith, and Jackson Tippett.
For more information about the students' progress in preparation for these performances, see www.romeoandjulietcc.com.
There are four scheduled performances, with opening night Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Friday and Saturday performances are also at 7:30 p.m. Next Sunday, a matinee will be performed at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for children. To purchase tickets, go online to www.broyhillcenter.com or call the box office at 828-726-2407.
Butterfly festival in Hudson Saturday
The annual Butterfly Festival in Hudson is also coming up this Saturday. Entertainment joins crafts, foods and children's activities in the downtown area near the Depot Museum. The event is free and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 828-728-8272.
May exhibit at arts council
Artists Andrea Gomez and Karen Yost will be featured in the May exhibit "Body Poses & Land Masses" at the Caldwell Arts Council.So what might we expect to see there? Not so easy to say, since Gomez describes herself as a "non-branding artist" whose style varies. She has sometimes provided courtroom sketches for the media. She sketched the Afghani prisoner in the well-publicized case of a CIA operative. These are a part of the exhibit.
Her displayed work also includes paintings full of imagery and a love of color. Figures capture movement to tell about an historical event. Portraits possess tangible personalities.
Then Yost brings her variety of media to the May exhibit, with paintings, photography, computer art and ceramics. Selections titled "The Waiting Series" comment on the impact that shopping malls had on the American life.
The opening reception is Friday, 5-7:30 p.m. The exhibit will run through May 30 at the Caldwell Arts Council, 601 College Avenue in Lenoir. Regular operating hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An additional special event related to this exhibit is a "Lunch and Learn" hosted by both artists. Gomez and Yost will offer an informal seminar of their art on May 7 at noon. Participants may bring a bag lunch; reservations are required since seating is limited. Details: 828-754-2486.
Beach Bash event set for May 16
More news from the Caldwell Arts Council. The annual Beach Bash fundraiser will be May 16 at the Mulberry Recreation Center.
The Catalinas of Myrtle Beach fame will perform. Attendees are invited to bring a picnic supper but not brown bag. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Picnicking will begin at 5:30 p.m.; music will be performed from 7 to 10 p.m.
Individual tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. Special packages must be purchased by May 14. Details: www.caldwellarts.com. Betty Stone
