MABEN — Performing-arts electives are in short supply for West Oktibbeha High School students at the beginning of each school year.
Students often turn to sports for electives and extracurricular activities, but those looking to express themselves through visual or performing arts usually have one choice: art class.
In August, after three years of lobbying from students and English teacher Sarah Staggers, West Oktibbeha’s administration added a single, yearlong drama class to its list of electives.
And after four months of learning stage direction, character development and stage design, the 21 students in the West Oktibbeha drama class are set for their first play, “Couch Potato Santa.”
The play debuts today at West Oktibbeha at 1 p.m.
“A lot of kids, they walk around the building singing and dancing already,” said West Oktibbeha Principal Leonardo Thompson. “It just seemed like a natural fit to have a drama program. I’m excited to see the play. These kids have put in a lot of work, both in the class and fund raising to help buy costumes.”
The one-act holiday play is about Santa Claus’ unwillingness to get off the couch and work. Mrs. Claus enlists the help of elves and reindeer to help whip Santa back into shape and ultimately sweetens the deal with the promise of a new sleigh.
The play lasts between 45 minutes and an hour and is a variation of a script originally written by James J. Brunelle, junior Brittaney Dobbins said. While students are performing a “beginner” type of production, “Couch Potato Santa” represents a major step forward for the burgeoning drama program.
“We’ve never had a full-on play,” Dobbins said. “We usually do a small play for African-American literature, but we’d usually dress in normal clothes. Now, we’re dressed in actual elf and Santa costumes. This isn’t something that’s just thrown together.”
Staggers, in her third year at West Oktibbeha, has taught African-American literature, multiple levels of English and journalism. After each of the past two years, she’s pushed to have a drama class offered. But in a small school with a small faculty, teachers sometimes teach three to four electives a year. Implementing a new class was a challenge, but Staggers showed administrators how committed she was to a program by teaching summer drama classes at Emerson School in Starkville.
“The kids I work with needed a creative outlet,” Staggers said. “We don’t have music; just art and now drama. I’m excited for the chance to teach them.”
Staggers knew a lot of students were interested in a drama program, but she was surprised when she had to turn some students away after 21 seats were filled. Typically, 10 to 15 students are in each elective class, Staggers said.
Students took instruction quickly, learning how to use their diaphragms to perfect their voice, improvise acting and develop characters.
“They had the script memorized in no time,” Staggers said. “They’re supportive of each other and have worked well as a team.”
Staggers and Dobbins said the first semester has elicited unknown talents from students who previously wouldn’t have had the chance to express themselves.
“I’ve seen a lot of people who have been very shy in school take on big responsibilities with this play,” Dobbins said. “It’s been crazy with set and wardrobe malfunctions — and we’re all nervous — but drama has brought a lot out of people that we didn’t expect.”
The West Oktibbeha drama class plans to have a deeper, more serious production in the spring. Staggers said she hopes to perform plays at Head Start and elementary schools to help build a following and set the foundation for future drama classes.
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