Local theater lovers can get their fill with upcoming high school shows.
Most high school shows open this week, and theater goers can see shows based on classic novels, see a musical based on a Bible story or see the directing efforts of students in Franklin.
Here is a look at what local high schools are planning:
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Center Grove
High School
A few students at Center Grove High School are helping to bring a comedy to audience members this spring.
Their spring production “Paradise Lost and Found,” is a comedy that revolves around a lost and found department at a bus company.
About 11 students will act in the show on April 5, 6 and 7 at the high school, 2717 S. Morgantown Road, Greenwood.
The show features roles for 11 students and each of the roles has an understudy, director Ashlee Vitz said.
Vitz decided on the show because it has a small cast and was comedic, she said.
“My biggest goal for theater is always that the students will learn the importance of community and responsibility,” said Vitz.
Franklin Community High School
Students are taking the director’s reins for Franklin Community High School’s spring show this week.
The full student cast and crews will be performing in a series of short plays this weekend. The plays are “Professor What,” “Cinema Limbo,” “La Mouche,” and “The West Wing.” The production opens at 7 p.m. Wednesday. There is a second performance at 7 p.m. Thursday at the high school, 2600 Cumberland Road.
In an effort to give students more hands-on experiences, Tim Allen, drama director, decided to have students direct a series of short plays for the spring show.
“The kids chose the shows from a list I derived early on in the year and what i really want is for them to get a fully immersive experience in creating a show from start to finish and to be able to be proud of something that is completely their work,” Allen said.
Greenwood Christian Academy
About 40 students at Greenwood Christian Academy will be singing and dancing to Dr. Seuss.
Their spring show, “Seussical,” runs at 7 p.m. April 26 and 27 and 2 p.m. April 28 at the school, 835 W. Worthsville Road.
The plot revolves around the children’s stories of Dr. Seuss.
Aimee Taubitz, director of the show chose the production because it was heavy in music and dance, which matches what the hobbies of students at the school, she said.
“They really like to dance, I thought it would be a really good for them,” she said.
Greenwood Community High School
Joseph and his brothers are coming to the stage at Greenwood Community High School.
The school’s spring show is “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” It opens this weekend at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the school, 615 W. Smith Valley Road.
The show is based off the Bible story of Joseph and his colorful coat.
The show was chosen because it fit the students and has a fun, music-based feel to it, director Daniel Borns said.
The music also fit the talents of the students, with about 90 students involved in nearly every aspect of this show, he said.
“We chose this show because we felt like it fit the students very well. It is a fun show that is mainly music,” Borns said.
Indian Creek High School
The classic Roald Dahl tale of a boy who escapes his aunts by hitching a ride on a giant peach will be in Trafalgar this weekend.
Indian Creek High School students will produce “James and the Giant Peach,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday at the high school, 803 W. Indian Creek Drive.
The show is based on the classic book by Dahl, a British children’s novelist. The show was chosen as a way to draw in students from all of the schools, including the elementary, intermediate and middle schools, director Tiffany Swopes said.
“It is funny, heartfelt and just brings joy to all those who watch the show. I wanted to make sure that my first show first and foremost brought happiness to those in our community,” Swopes said.
Roncalli High School
Roncalli High School thespians will be solving a mystery on stage this weekend and next weekend.
Students will be performing in “The Mouse Trap” by Agatha Christie at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and March 14, 15 and 16 at the school, 3300 Prague Road, Indianapolis. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee for each Saturday show.
About 80 students will be producing the classic by Christie, which is also the longest running play in history, said Erin Bohn, the director.
The murder mystery has been running in theaters across the world since 1952. The show was chosen to allow students the opportunity to appreciate Christie’s writing and as a way to give audiences a mystery, Bohn said.
“(Christie) was a master at her craft, and in the world of TV and movies that use visuals for shock effect, we wanted to provide this generation with an example of how to do mystery and suspense in whispered tones, not with clanging cymbals,” she said.
