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Lifelong Learning
News159756

Moorhead High Theater: Turning a new leaf

November 11, 2015

From “Chicago” to “Tommy,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” to “Side Show,” Moorhead High’s theater program has wowed the region with its amazing vocals, incredible sets, and stellar choreography. No matter what genre Moorhead High theater has tackled, the students have executed it in grand style. In recent years Moorhead High theater’s more serious side has been seen with performances that involved jail cells and crucifixion.

This year, the cast will be singing a different tune.

The upcoming show is a style that hasn’t been seen from Moorhead High since “Peter Pan.” This month, Moorhead High theater will be flying onto the stage with Disney’s Broadway musical “Tarzan.” The cast and crew are excited about a change in genre as it is the first family show performed in six years. The message of the show is “unbuntu,” meaning “two worlds, one family.” It’s a term used by the cast to represent the meaning of the show’s message.

That message is implanted into the program and its students. Sarah Schulz, a junior who plays Jane, said Moorhead High theater is unique because the program stresses “creation over destruction and not a lot of directors use that method.”
 
“(That is) why we create such great shows,” Schulz said.
 
Senior Mary Cait McManamon said the crew really becomes a community. “The crew is so bonded, and so tight, they build a family atmosphere that is so supportive,” McManamon said.
 
Director Rebecca Meyer-Larson said “unbuntu” has been the goal of the Moorhead High theater family from its inception. “Two worlds, one family has existed in this (theater) from the beginning of its creation, the unity of 120 people working together toward one goal,” Meyer-Larson said.
 
Meyer-Larson chose this style of show for many reasons. She said she chose a family-oriented show because “it was the right show for the talent and energy of the students we have.” 
 
“When I plan a show, I wants to challenge the actors, and I want to engage a certain audience,” Meyer-Larson said.
 
She said “Tarzan” is meant to engage an elementary school audience to inspire young artists.
 
“Tarzan” is also a different style of show in the technical aspects. Meyer-Larson said this production will be “everything that people love about the cartoon combined with a visual spectacle that could not be expressed without physical bodies on the stage.”
 
Meyer-Larson said the “visual masterpiece” will include flying, trampolines, silks, and hopefully bungees and trapeze. This is Moorhead High’s second show with flying, but its fifth with elevation.
 
With a show involving such intricate technical aspects, trust is crucial. Meyer-Larson said her favorite moment is when that trust is realized. “When the cast recognizes the power of an ensemble, when all of the elements come together to make up a visual masterpiece,” Meyer-Larson said.

Swing into Moorhead High School’s auditorium at 7 p.m. November 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 or 2 p.m. November 15 and 22 to experience Disney’s “Tarzan” performed by the award-winning Moorhead High theater department. Tickets can be reserved online at www.MoorheadSchools.org/tix or by calling the Moorhead High Activities Office at 218-284-2255.

Alyssa Haagenson, Reporter for Moorhead High’s The Spud 

 

Photo caption: The cast of “Tarzan” poses for a photo at the homecoming parade on Oct. 2.
Photo by Robby Njos

Categorized under: School