Waupaca students make post-Covid comeback

By James Card

The last time Waupaca students performed on stage was the production of “Mamma Mia!” in 2019.

For two years, students lost the opportunity to stand in front of an audience but they are making up for lost time in the upcoming production of “The Sound of Music.”

More than 40 students are making the return to live theater.

The musical will be held at the Waupaca High School Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 3-5. A matinee performance will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.

Sunday Nov. 6 The performance spans across all schools: Waupaca Learning Center, Waupaca Middle School, Chain Exploration Center and Waupaca High School. The ages range from third graders to high school seniors.

“They are getting back into shape. Audiences are out of shape, too. It’s been a long time and things have changed. We’ve been fortunate so far that we haven’t had a lot of sickness. We did choose to double cast because we were afraid of what might come this fall with the flu or a virus. That means two casts of children will be used and it give them more opportunity to perform. So we chose two different groups of people to play the von Trapp family children so there are a ton of children involved from all the district schools,” said director Holly Saunders.

Costumes were a problem with so many young performers involved. Some costumes in the wardrobe were utilized and others had to be made from scratch. The time period of the musical is set in pre-World War II.

The sets were designed by Monica Reeves and the lead construction was done by Aaron Strebe. There is a huge staircase, a front door unit, windows that open from multiple rooms and the fly system is rigged with more props. There is a gazebo scene and a terrace scene and one secret scene that Saunders is keeping for a surprise.

“We’re trying to do this in a very classic way so that people that love the movie are not going to be disappointed. Everybody that has watched the movie will get exactly what they are hoping for,” said Saunders.

Saunder has directed many shows for community theatre but this is her first time directing a school district performance. She is also the new middle school choir director and has 25 years of experience as a musician and as a teacher in Waupaca.

The lead roles will be performed by Nevaeh Johnson as Maria and Tyler Smidt as the Captain. Music will be performed by student players and the piano will be by Wanda Eikenbary. The concert choir is directed by Anna Lussier and the wind ensemble is directed by Brianna Hepfler.

“If anybody can whip a show together it’s Holly,” said John Kelley, who recently directed the Waupaca Community Theatre’s production of “The Little Mermaid.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and tickets can be purchased by calling 715-258-4131 extension 1028.