by Lauren Gasek
This past year, the HHS Drama Society was reviewed by a national blog and named one of the best drama groups in the country. Both new and old members of the school’s Drama Society were stunned when they first heard the big news.
The students in the group know how much heart and passion they put into their productions every year, and now people from across America are recognizing that hard work. Junior Alicia Sagastume, The Drama Society’s Speaker of the House, sent senior and President Scott Kall a link to the blog, called OnStar. They both did not know what to expect when they first came across the web address.
“It’s super nice to be recognized,” Sagastume smiles.
“It blew my mind,” Kall says.
Kall explains that what makes this drama society so unlike any other group is the people that he works with. “Everyone’s so amazing and talented. We’re such a close knit family.”
The Drama Society has a big focus of making sure everyone in the group feels at home. In the first couple of weeks of every school year, the society hosts an eighth grade welcoming party, complete with ice breaker activities and snacks. The group also takes a trip to New York City every year to get a closer look at Broadway while growing closer together and “making them feel welcome and accepted,” Kall says.
The Drama Society puts together eight shows every school year. This fall, they put on “The Children’s Hour,” and they have just completed an even bigger production, “Honk,” showcased on November 5-8.
“I really like that there’s more younger kids in Honk,” Kall remarks. He says the diversity of ages of kids gets everyone going and on task, and the atmosphere is always energetic.
With so many shows packed into the school year, the result is even more rehearsals. A vital but dreaded part of every show’s development through showtime is tech week. This painful stage of rehearsal requires attendance at the school through the evening. Sometimes, the students stay after school until ten o’clock at night perfecting the technical components of the production.
When students are hyperfocused on the well-being of the show late at night, it’s always tough to squeeze in their homework. On top of homework, students involved in sports are unable to attend practices. Lots of anxiety and stress build up as a result of the preparation of that show. But, it is necessary to ensure that any possible issues during the real production are avoided. Both Kall and Sagastume agree that tech week is by far the most stressful time for the Drama Society.
Director Kathleen McKenzie has been the Drama Society’s leader for 12 years, and she has been a part of other drama groups for 6 years before coming to Hudson. The kids love her encouraging attitude, and they are extremely grateful for all of the time she commits to the group. McKenzie spends as many as eight to ten hours a week with the drama group, getting them familiarized and committed to the productions.
“That woman is absolutely amazing,” Sagastume remarks.
McKenzie was “flabbergasted and gobsmacked” when she was informed about Hudson’s appearance and recognition on the blog. She never expected that something like this would happen to the Drama Society. Nevertheless, she believes in every aspect that the group as a whole deserved to be noticed this way.
The kids are not the only ones who work hard on each production that is showcased. On top of managing tech week and daily rehearsals, McKenzie schedules events and performances, critiques the kids, and chooses each show.
Both Kall and Sagastume believe that the Drama Society could not operate smoothly and boldly without McKenzie to guide them.
McKenzie values “the educational side of theatre,” as well as the support that comes out of this drama community. She loves how age does not get in the way of friendships that are made in Hudson’s Drama Society, how nothing is forced on anyone in the group.
“It is about seeing students learn and grow as people. If I were to go elsewhere, I would not have that anymore.”
McKenzie doesn’t have a favorite show that they have put on, but she would love to do some again. She loves the kids, and she enjoys the atmosphere of the group as a whole. To her, they are extraordinary kids. McKenzie admires their energetic and compassionate character that shows in everything they do. She finds happiness in “watching them grow artistically,” and states she is “so proud of who they are, and I’m not talking about awards. They’re such good citizens.”
