Over the past few months, a group of wildly talented students has been studying, staging, and vigorously rehearsing for the next magnificent play to be executed in the Iva Walker Auditorium. The James A. Garfield High School Drama Club will be performing a drama titled “Adventure,” written by JD Atkins, during the third weekend in November. In a nutshell, the play takes place on a spaceship called the Starship Adventure, set in the “not-so-distant future,” where a captain and his crew, called the “Galactic Voyagers,” travel into deep space on missions of science and discovery. Unfortunately, higher command decides to turn the spaceship into a cruise ship for tourists, coincidentally inviting some unwanted guests. A succession of unprecedented events, a mysterious computer malfunction, and a tourist revolt bring everyone to their breaking point. Will the crew find enough composure to avert disaster and save their beloved spaceship? There’s only one way to find out; nonetheless, it’s sure to be an Adventure!
Since late September, the drama club has been working tirelessly to refine their showmanship and embody their roles with 1- to 2-hour-long practices four times a week. We had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Seniors Caleb Canan and Landen Gedeon about the upcoming play. Caleb plays the role of Professor Flowers, the inventor of the spaceship Artificial Intelligence named Shepard. Caleb has been steadily involved with the drama club since he was in seventh grade, so he has had his share of performances. He says this year’s play is different, though, “The show is funnier than in past years; it is an excellent show picked by the senior class.”
Landen Gedeon is also fond of the show, as he plays the role of Captain Adrian Key. Landen is right on the cusp of readiness for his performance as the cast went off book on Monday. He has confidence in the younger students involved with the Drama Club and believes they will be well taken care of years after he’s graduated. He also mentioned the overwhelming number of middle school students ready to step up when their number is called. “The show keeps you interested the whole time, on the edge of your seat, if you will.” This is Landen’s response when asked his thoughts on the play selection.
The choice to perform “Adventure” began when Jackie Lovelace, the drama club advisor and director, asked participating seniors in the club last school year to offer different sections of plays that could have a possibility of being chosen for the following year. As a result, the cast’s thoughts about “Adventure” seem overwhelmingly positive and allow the students to grow more comfortable than in prior years.
Be sure to show up and watch the Drama Club show out this weekend as they perform “Adventure” at 7 o’clock on Friday and Saturday evening, or come to the final show matinee at 3 o’clock on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for students and senior citizens. The ticket sales are a primary contributor to keeping the JAG Drama Club up and running.
