19 Feb 2015 Conway Christian School students rehearse for 'Much Ado Out West'

by Sonja J. Keith

Conway Christian School will present “Much Ado Out West” this week, bringing students together in an annual theatrical production that has become a campus tradition.

About 70 high school students — 100 percent of the junior and senior classes — participate each year in the play. CCS hosted its first play in 2008 with 16 students.

The play will be presented at 2 and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the school gym.

Laura Shelton directs the play, with some of the cast members in her Theater Appreciation class receiving concurrent high school and college credit through Central Baptist College.

The story, based on the Shakespeare play, centers around Ben and Betty who are secretly in love but also hate each other, according to Shelton. It is set in The West after the Civil War. Men are returning to their homes to discover that women have worked in roles that were previously held by men. “The play teaches that everybody needs everybody,” Shelton said.

As has become the tradition, CCS students voted on which play to present. Last year, they presented “High School Musical.”

Casey Roark was a member of the technical crew last year. A senior, he wanted to make his mark at the school and tried out for a speaking role. He landed the lead male role. “Last year, I pretty much just turned the lights on and off,” he said with a smile. He added that the play gives students an opportunity to work with classmates who they may not know as well. “You get to become good friends.”

Roark is considering a career in the medical field and is considering the University of Central Arkansas or Ouachita Baptist University.

Carly Powell, a member of the 501 Basketball Team, had a minor acting role last year. This year, she has the lead female role. She admits that she doesn’t get stressed out too easy but anticipates that she will probably be nervous when it is show time. Carly is considering nursing as a career but is uncertain where she will attend.

Wesley Oliver, a National Merit Scholar, also has a major part as the sheriff. Like Roark, he too wanted to be more involved in the play this year because he is a senior. “I think everyone has a great time and fun preparing and the night of the play,” he said.

Katie Jo Henley, who has the part of Winny, agreed that the play is a lot of fun. “It’s not every day you get to put on a play with the whole school,” she said. “I like all the laughs and being all together. I think this play is really funny.”

CCS is making some additions to the script to provide more acting roles for students. Shelton said one of the traditions associated with the play is everyone who wants a part is given a part. For that reason, three ensemble groups have been added to the production — the Ladies, Cowboys and Indians — and will be used to help transition between scenes.

One of the challenges for students is juggling academics and other extra-curricular activities with play practice.

Shelton noted that many CCS alumni credit the play and other school activities with teaching them how to manage multiple responsibilities. “They felt like it set them apart in college.”

Shelton also said that the play brings together different sports teams and clubs, giving students an opportunity to get to know others better in an enjoyable atmosphere. “It’s a lot of work, but they have tons of fun,” adding that they are making memories that will last a lifetime.

For the second year in a row, the play will be presented in the school gym. While it can be a challenge to schedule rehearsals around basketball games and other activities in the gym, Shelton points out it is a good location. “I think it feels like home to them,” she said, adding that the school is working toward having a full auditorium one day. She said about 700 attend the performance, including family as well as school alumni.

The first rehearsal was before Christmas. Additional rehearsals are planned in between sporting events and practices as well as other school activities.

As has been the practice, a special scripture will be identified to coincide with the play and the students will participate in a special mission project in conjunction with the production. Last year, students collected money and food to donate to Soul Food Café Mission.

“The verse keeps everything grounded, and the mission project keeps everybody’s mind on serving others,” Shelton said.

The public is invited to attend the play, which Shelton said offers an opportunity to forget about problems and concerns while leaving happy.

Cast and leadership
Betty: Carly Powell
Ben: Casey Roark
Maggie: Sarah Guinee
Aunt Sue: Megan Ledbetter
Ponytail Sally: Abby Shourd
Winny: Katie Jo Henley
Calamity: Elizabeth Kennedy
Wugly Twin 1: Autumn Jones
Wufly Twin 2: Whitley Wooten
Cowgirl: Sarah Shelton
Pedro: Noah Bowman
Claude: Will Callaway
Sheriff: Wesley Oliver
Drake: Scott Austin
Cow: Ross Minner
Stage manager: Leanna Sartain
Set and costume manager: Jenna Wilson
Tech crew manager: Tyler Pelley
House manager: Luke Beckman
Indians: John Clay, Zach Staley, Lindsey Clay, Parker Burford, Nicholas Lee, Arianna Cortes, McKinley Wallace, Cora Lentz, Lexia Nichols and Dawn Lippelgoes.
Ladies: Katelyn Helms, Rebecca Watkins, Taylor Williams, Lyndi Dather, Elizabeth Steely, Madeline Steely, Kendra Lea, Jessica Brandon, Allyson Oliver, Lindsey Jones, Gracie Hill and Maddie Fulmer.
Cowboys: Ancil Lea, Shawnell Gill, Jonmark Wood, Jakob Henry, Brenden Camp, Andrew Baker, Robert Poppe, Marc Cochran, Carter Bramlett, Chase Kehler, Hunter Tollett and Josiah Smith.