SHS theatre students bring sense of normalcy to community
With most theaters closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been difficult to find forms of entertainment outside of television for many people.
A group of Starkville High School students gave worked to change that and were able to give the community a sense of normalcy back on Friday night.
The SHS Theatre Department and International Thespian Troupe 1180 had their Winter Theatre Showcase at Fire Station Park.
Trisha Pate, SHS Theatre Director and organizer of the showcase, said that Friday night was something that her students have been working toward all semester.
“Our Winter Showcase is a chance for our theatre students to perform into individually for the public,” Pate said. “This fall they were only able to share their competition show virtually, so this was the first opportunity they have had with a live audience since last fall, because even their spring musical was
canceled due to COVID.”
Pate felt that the showcase was very important and much needed for her students to share all of their hard work, and to also give the community some sense of normalcy.
While some may see theatre as just pure entertainment, Pate and her theatre students see it as something more than that.
“We have to tell our stories one way or another,” Pate said. “That is why Tiktok, Snapchat, Instagram stories are so popular. Humans crave sharing whether we are introverts or extroverts. What theatre offers is a collective effort to expose some truth, some aspect of humanity. Theatre is what comforts those who are lonely, and it shines a light where people may have previously been afraid to look.”
Led by SHS students who have been inducted into the school’s International Thespian Society Troupe, Friday night was a cabaret style performance where they do individual pieces from various works.
During what has been a difficult year, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pate shared her thoughts on why the showcase was more celebratory than others.
“COVID caused most professional theaters to shut down for the time being, and thousands are out of work and cannot share what they love,” Pate said. “Tonight was a celebration of expression and an effort to bring some joy during a time when people are so lost.”
Christian Dunne led off the showcase with “Guido’s Song” from the 1982 Broadway musical “Nine,” followed by performances from Brady Mcnutt, Emma Woodward, Lena West, SJ Brocato, Gwen Mcnutt, Lia Jones, Jace Fye, Shelby Stafford, Alex Williams, Cooper Snell, Carter Mcilwain, Sally Stafford, finishing off with a duet performance of “Therapy” from “Tick, Tick… Boom!” by Will Norris and Mckenzie Gines.