Shawn Ingelby, left, is in the role of Gaston in the Saratoga and Encampment School Drama Club's rendition of "Beauty & the Beast". Bel Oiler, right, is also involved. The play, directed by Encampment Seniors Kaylyn Wessel and Becca Treat, is totally student-driven. The play debuts for the public at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Platte Valley drama students might tell you to "be our guest" this weekend at their performance of "Beauty and the Beast."
This year's drama performance is unlike previous years, drama sponsor Greg Bush said, as the entire play is put on by the students themselves. The directing, the acting, costumes, lighting and set design are all student led Bush said.
"Everything you see in this play is going to be 100 percent kid prepared," he said. "I am there as adult supervision and that is it."
His only role, Bush said, is to help provide the students with what he can.
"I don't make any artistic calls, that is all on the kids," he said. "The kids have complete freedom."
The play will be directed by seniors Kaylyn Wessel and Becca Treat, both Encampment School students. Lighting and sound will be led by Robin Gloss.
Having the students put the play on entirely themselves creates an interesting dynamic. Bush said because the performance is peer-lead, the students have been able to enhance creativity.
Bush said the play involves several departments outside of drama to help with set design and much more.
"They are going all out," he said. "I have involved so many departments in the school with art kids, not just drama kids. I've been pulling in anyone with any acting ability."
The drama program began working on this play in February. Since then, students have been hard at work with writing, set design and working on their lines in order to put on the performance this weekend.
One of the benefits of the performance involves students who are not typically involved in other extracurricular activities.
"Some of these kids aren't a part of a lot of other things; they are the artsy students who aren't involved in many [extracurriculars]," he said.
Bush said the play has helped some students out academically. Several students who have suffered with grades have since performed better in school since being involved in the play.
"They know they can't be on the 'down-list' and be a part of this," Bush said. "Slowly, I am watching some of this kids come off (the down-list)."
There will be two performances this weekend. The first will take place at 7 p.m. on May 23, and another performance at 4 p.m. on May 25. Both events are free to the public and will take place at the Platte Valley Community Center Theater.
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