On August 24th, the new drama club officers (Emily Hawks ‘16, Tyler Kervella ‘15, Meghan O’Hara ‘15, Emma VanderWeyst ‘16, Kate Moberly ‘15, and Jack Rogers ‘16) sat down to organize the club’s plan for the 2014-2015 school year. The Club’s goal this year is to “help people find an outlet to express themselves,” President Hawks said.“Sometimes class and shows aren’t available and Drama Club is for the people who need a place to find interest and express themselves.”

Drama Club provides an all-inclusive group for students who enjoy doing improv games, learning acting techniques, and having fun in theatre. The year’s newest additions are the “events and movie nights” Hawks said. During this past summer, the Drama Club hosted two movie nights featuring games, food, and the movies Grease and Mamma Mia. More movie nights like this will be coming in the future, which provides a way for the theatre students to participate outside of the school environment.

Also, Drama Club has recently created opportunities for play and musical audition workshops. The first workshop, organized for Almost Maine, was on September 5th. “The drama club workshop was helpful,” Sande Keyes (‘15) said. “It gave a taste of what it’s like when you’re auditioning.” Skills taught at the workshop include choosing a monologue, audition tips, and Drama Club officer personal feedback. “We learned that you have to base your monologue on what the director wants,” Keyes said. Many of the students who attended the workshop, like Keyes, made it to call-backs and were even cast in the show (performing November 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th). Another workshop is available for the musical Cinderella on November 21st.

Another thing that the Drama Club has to do is  raise money for their spring trip to Ashland, Oregon and supplies for movie nights and parties through fundraising. The trip to Ashland, taken every other year, is a travel that includes tickets to five productions, theatre workshops, transportation, and hotel rooms. “In Ashland we focus a lot on workshops and experiencing a close up version of acting,” Hawks said. “It’s a vacation but it’s also a learning experience.” Ashland allows for the creativity of students to flourish while also providing time to explore the town. Ashland funds are raised mainly through bratwurst sales at Arlington High School home football games. Plans for other fundraising include “marketing for plays and musicals” Hawks said. There is also talk of selling drinks such as hot cider and hot chocolate at Almost Maine performances. Fundraising opportunities such as these allow for theatre students (and other students as well) to benefit the drama department, accumulate volunteer hours, and make a difference.

Drama Club is an excellent extracurricular activity for all students interested in theatre arts. “It gives me a sense of feeling connected to everyone” Olive Walton ‘17 said. “It’s just a happy place where everyone’s having fun. There are no wrong choices. Everything’s a risk, and everyone’s going to love the risk you take.”

The Drama Club officers of 2014-2015 are especially enthusiastic for the club this year. “My goal with being an officer is that everyone is welcome and feels included in their school and program,” club Vice President Emma VanderWeyst said. Drama Club is held every other Thursday, starting September 18th. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend meetings and be apart of the creative family that is Drama Club.

Students pick from the improve jar to decide what games they will play during the meeting.