OPSB.net - West Monroe High School Theatre Department

The West Monroe High School Theatre Department under the direction of Shirley Allen Fields took the challenge offered by Dr. Joe McGahan and Dr. Rick Stevens, professors in the psychology department at ULM and leaders of the Chautauqua Nexus, and presented two performances of Bad Seed, transforming a classroom in the Airway Computer Science Building into a living room. Then the drama troupe reprised several powerful scenes of the play introducing a Chautauqua-Nexus the following Monday on the sixth floor of the Library. Participants included university, high school and elementary students, professors, teachers, parents, grandparents, and community members interested in the topics. Mrs. Deanna Ford who teaches a psychology class at WMHS and Dr. McGahan, himself, helped to facilitate the discussion. Click below to read more...

WMHS students took a very active part in the discussion which at times turned into a stimulating debate. Topics emerged from the content of the play and the novel The Bad Seed that included nature vs. nurture, original sin, B. F. Skinner, Sigmund Freud, Judith Harris' Theory of Social Development and the Influence of Peers, serial killers, and genetic disposition to violence. The theatre group is the first high school to present a Nexus and have been invited to present for the following school year. Ms. Fields is considering Remember the Holocaust, a two week presentation to include Number the Stars, readings and scenes from Night and Witnesses, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, and scenes from The Diary of Anne Frank. The Nexus will include topics from this never-to-be-forgotten period of history. After the Nexus event, the theatre group presented Bad Seed for its school with a "Black Box" concept. The audience was seated in chairs on the stage and one side of the stage re-created a living room setting. Audience members enjoyed the closeness of the acting.

The following is the cast and crew: Ashly Lovett-Rhoda Penmark, Rosemary Jones-Christine Penmark, Bobby Lee-Colonel Penmark, Destini Pickron-Monica Breedlove, Brett Wooley-Richard Bravo, Josh Ames-Leroy Jessup, Tyler Ingle-Reginald Tasker, Anna Beth Cannon-Miss Fern, Natalie Weaver-Mrs. Daigle, Dex Poindexter-Emory Wages, Eric Harper-Mr. Daigle and Chris Cox-The Messenger. Danielle Guevara and Paige Wise, Stage Managers; Erin Simon, Properties Mistress; J.J. Elliott, Technical Director; Kami Menzie, Makeup; Nancy Lutrick and Ann Barlass, House Managers; and Ms. Fields, dramaturgist.

The Rainbow Makers, the Children’s Theatre Wing of the WMHS Theatre Department filled Kiroli Park with over eighty performers all dressed in Medieval, Renaissance and fantasy costumes who entertained elementary school children in Arts in the Park. The troupe's performances became the highlight for over hundreds of children who got to play improvisational games, get their faces painted, hear and act out stories, sing and experience Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, stage combat, and Kids' Day on Broadway. Students from Kiroli Elementary School and Riverbend got to share their musical singing ability in the Musical Theatre Workshop and to learn about how a Broadway production is mounted. The elementary school students got to talk about stage fright and how to over come it. Performances from the high school troupe included songs and dances from The Lion King, Wicked and Shenandoah. The workshop was introduced with a segment from Stomp. Teachers think about next year and include The Theatre Department in your choice of educational events. Look for our season on the events calendar and plan early. One consideration for the 2005-2006 school year is Beauty and the Beast. Contact us to conduct a workshop at your school.