Seventh graders get a taste of theatre in English unit

An exciting partnership between DPRCA Managing Director Deb Belquist and NR-S middle school English teacher Craig Demester brought the seventh grade class to the Old Church Theatre stage on Thanksgiving week. For several weeks in October and November, the students worked on their lines, stage presence, costuming and gesturing during English class. The performances took place on Tuesday, Nov. 23 and Wednesday, Nov. 24, with each one of the two groups performing each day. Pictured above is part of the cast of the group who performed on Wednesday. Shaylynn Duda and Kyle Thompson, as Purple and Orange, respectively, co-starred in this original screenplay by Patrick Kasper. Orange embarks on a journey to fill his Tabula Rosa (blank slate) and find a soul mate. Along the way, he meets a colorful cast of characters who share clues in his quest. Shown above are Chaztin Wobbema (White, a Broadway diva), Kason Nass (Black, an advertising executive), Eli Alfstad (Brown, the lumberjack), and Kaci Weisenburger (Yellow, the beach granny), some of those who help him. Throughout the journey, he realizes that the lessons he is learning will lead him to a greater understanding of the community's diversity and a greater appreciation for his true love, Purple.