LRHS Student Drama Production

From classic Shakespearean plays to simply playing pretend, adopting the persona of a different character is a common escape to an alternate world. Drama is an opportunity for artistic expression as many have discovered already. Not only are the arts an effective outlet for the artist but also the audience.

That is why Lind-Ritzville High School’s drama class has been preparing their acting skills for their upcoming performance.

On Thursday, January 22, the LRHS drama class will be presenting two one act melodramas: Villains in the Gold Field and The Valiant Villain. The student actors have been working hard, benefiting not only socially but also academically from their experiences, and are looking forward to their first public performance of the year.

The melodramas will commence at 7 p.m. in the Ritzville Grade School gymnasium and community members are encouraged to attend. Admission to the play is free.

Sufficient evidence exists to support that there is a correlation between participation in the arts and high academic achievement in the classroom.

According to the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, “Numerous studies have demonstrated a correlation between drama involvement and academic achievement. In addition to having higher standardized test scores than their peers who do not experience the arts, student[s] who participate in drama often experience improved comprehension, maintain better attendance records and stay generally more engaged in school…”

Although there is no denying the correlation between increased SAT scores and participation in drama, it cannot be assumed that drama specifically increases the type of cognitive development that would lead to higher test scores.

Not even finished with their first semester, the drama students have already grown as actors. The class began with studying pantomime and continued on into melodrama.

Drama teacher Allison Nichols said, “They learned how to exaggerate facial expressions and gestures.”

She continued, “They learned how to become one of those stock characters, and how to show traits that the audience would look for…”

The students feel like they have been productive in the class also. Alarah Pierce-Pulliam, student actress, said, “I’m able to speak in front of big groups of people without being as afraid as I used to be. And, I like how I get to be someone else.”

When asked about the upcoming performance, Pulliam said, “We haven’t practiced a lot with props but it’s fun when we can bring the whole stage to life with our costumes and props.”

Rylie Sackmann, another member of LRHS drama, said she is both excited and nervous for the play. She explains, “I don’t like talking in front of people it is a really fun play—we get to goof around the whole time.”

Laurel Hayes said, “[Drama] has helped me become less shy and be able to speak in front of my peers better. It lets me become a different character [which is fun because] I don’t have to just be me all day!”

Shawn Neal enjoys drama also: “It’s what I’m good at. First I thought was scared, but when I got used to it, it got easier and easier.”

“I love drama,” said Claire Roettger. “It’s taught me how to work well with others and come out of my shell and do things I wouldn’t normally do.”

Drama entices passion in many students at LRHS along with helping them achieve academically. All community members are invited to come watch the drama class’ production on January 22.