Students are just settling into the new school year and Powell High School is already filled with drama in more ways than one. PHS is welcoming a new co-director to the drama program. Excitement is running high with the promise of a new perspective.
Drama can be a very demanding extracurricular activity. Lots of time and dedication go into practice and preparation for the productions, so it is important the drama club gets a co-director who is a good fit and willing to take on this supporting role in an already thriving program.
“I feel like we have a lot of really talented, creative students,” director Kristin Cuddy said. “That’s really the driving force behind it.”
Cuddy has been the assistant drama director for the last four years. This will be her first year as head director. She is looking forward to working alongside the new co-director.
“It would be great if they had drama experience,” Cuddy said. “Somebody who is organized, creative, empathetic, and willing to devote a lot of time to it.”
Students are also looking forward to finding out who the new co-director will be. They will be spending many hours with this new director. Students hope to be inspired by their new ideas and experiences.
“We’re getting someone new for the long haul,” senior Levi Hawley said. “At first things might be a little rocky, but once we get into the swing of things. I think this director is going to have a lot of cool ideas and it’s really going to make us soar.”
Co-directors must be flexible and willing to help run rehearsal, work with students in a variety of groups, and even run some of the technical aspects of the show. It is a demanding job that takes a lot of different skills.
“So that might be pulling a curtain, doing sound effects, running lights,” Cuddy said. “There are some quick changes that we have to do backstage or props that need to be moved.”
Getting used to a new coach will take some time. This new coach will need to learn how to best support the students. While also learning how to navigate new territory with the students.
“We’re gonna have to, as the student body, of course, be respectful and teach them the flow of things,” Hawley said. “While also respecting how they feel things should go.”
Although there may be some growing pains, the drama club will still have a lot of fun. Even though it is not yet decided who the co-director will be, everyone is excitedly awaiting to meet and work with them.
“I feel kind of excited, because it means while things are going to change and get switched around, we’re going to have a new perspective,” Hawley said. “It helps in any actor’s career to get perspectives because you can’t get better without feedback.”
