Performances begin May 2 in Cheney
Cheney drama program students prepare for "The Sponge Bob Musical," which begins its eight-performance run, May 2 at the high school.
CHENEY - The Cheney High School drama program is embarking on a bold path as it seeks to get a fresh start following COVID-19.
And it starts with their upcoming presentation of "The SpongeBob Musical" at the school May 2-4 and May 9-11. Show times are at 7 p.m.
There's an added matinee performance set for 1 p.m. May 11,as well.
"From the from the director's perspective, this year has been an exciting year us at Cheney," program director Mike Scott said. "We are rebuilding the drama program from the ground up. COVID kind of ruined the whole thing."
The first step was a recent production of "These Shining Lives," the true story of four women who worked for the Radium Dial Company and the tragic outcomes of sickness and death that followed.
That work provided an opportunity for SpongeBob cast members to have practice. The project involves 16 cast members and another 10 on the backstage crew.
"The retention of students and their excitement and energy to do the production has just been incredible," Scott said.
He pointed to dedication to studying and getting homework done, in addition to getting memorization done for the show, as being "So remarkable to me."
This specific show title originated from students wanting to find something of which they would be excited, Scott explained. And they had a very-much free rein on how the show would be produced, he added.
"You don't have any set guidelines to follow or expectations that the audience might have," he said.
Scott, who has been doing theater instruction for over a dozen years, said, "I've been doing theater for about 13 years, and I've never been able to accomplish what I've accomplished at Cheney this year."
The production is effectively 100 percent in-house with the use of various creative elements found inside the school.
"We've been able to utilize our art program to help us create props," Scott said. "The graphic and digital design class to create the program and design posters and create the projections that you'll see during the show."
In addition, all music is provided by members of the school band and choir. "We're not hiring out any professionals whatsoever," Scott said.
Even so, this production is spendy and Scott is encouraging any, and all, members of the community to either attend showings or provide any additional support in the way of donations.
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