The Bear River Pro Drama class is preparing to take the stage for their upcoming Showcase, a unique performance made up of scenes from various plays and musicals from around the world. Each piece highlights a different style of acting, from comedy to heartfelt emotion, giving audiences a little bit of everything.

A performance crafted from a mix of different points of plays, and certain scenes from musicals worldwide showing Nov. 20th at 7pm. Entry is free but the program would be very grateful for donations!

First year drama student Rosabella Aycock shared her excitement about her roles.

“I will play Helena from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and I will be performing a monologue called Rehearsal and playing a character named Morgan Hill. I am so excited for this production because both scenes are comedies. I get to bond with my friends Ace, Eze, and Phoenix,” Aycock said.

Aycock added how much she enjoys the class and community around it.

“I am so pumped for every future play because the community in Pro Drama always makes it incredibly rewarding. It's truly my favorite class. I love seeing people just change characters once on stage, it's absolutely jaw dropping, and always encouraging for me to get better as well. I love being on the stage and the life it brings, it's truly such a magical place,” Aycock said.

Junior Emily Tatum is also performing two different scenes that show her versatility.

“I'm performing in Steel Magnolias and Mama I'm A Big Girl Now. I have more options in the scenes when it comes to clothes and style. I also play different types of characters in my two scenes so that makes me happy. The fact that I'm doing two scenes makes it more fun too. I'm super excited about this play, unlike in the past, I am more attached to my scenes,” Tatum said.

Second year Keira Gwin is taking on two performances that combine both acting and singing.

“I am doing two scenes in this showcase. The first is with Jordan Davidson and we are performing a scene from the musical Little Shop of Horrors where we will be singing the song Suddenly Seymour. The second scene is just me, and I will be performing a song from the musical Into the Woods called Last Midnight,” Gwin said.

Gwin reflected on how much she’s learned from being part of the program.

“I was previously in two shows called Adventure and The Tempest. I’ve learned more about acting and the theater and continue to want to learn more. I feel like the drama program is such a welcoming place, just my first few days in that class made me realize no one is going to judge me here. To be a part of a cast is incredible because you all create a close bond and in a way become a family,” Gwin said.

Gwin also shared her appreciation for her teacher, Carey McCray, and the showcase’s creative direction.

“This is one of our first drama performances in a long time where we have a few scenes from musicals! So I am very excited for people to see them. Mrs. McCray is lovely and very kind. I love the vision she has and I can’t wait to work more with her. Especially on her spring show that you won’t want to miss,” Gwin said.

Drama teacher Carey McCray shared her passion for theatre and pride in her students’ work.

“I’ve been performing since I was about ten years old, and I’ve been teaching drama, on and off, since the early 2000s,” McCray said. “I’m so excited about the Showcase production because it truly highlights the incredible talents and creativity of our Pro-Drama class. The students are even incorporating musical elements, and as a lifelong musical theatre lover, I can’t wait to see it all come to life on the Bear River stage.”

McCray continued, “These students have poured their hearts into this production, creating a wonderful evening of theatre that celebrates storytelling in all its forms. From Shakespeare to Hairspray, Steel Magnolias to Little Shop of Horrors, audiences will enjoy a variety of scenes that offer a ‘tasting menu’ of great performances from a wonderfully talented cast.”

With a variety of scenes, strong student performances, and heartfelt creativity, the Pro Drama Showcase is sure to be an unforgettable evening that celebrates the spirit of theater, and sets the stage for many future performances at Bear River.

Come see Bear River’s Professional Drama showcase, and get ready for the Spring performance from the Drama class “This Murder Was Staged!”