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The Community Smokestack Theatre performed \u201cThe Homecoming\u201d last November under the direction of its drama instructor, Anthony Davis. Although many generations removed from the story\u2019s setting in 1933, the players embraced their roles and reflected enthusiastically on the differences in daily life since the 30s, especially as teens. Costuming was initially a challenge, but they continued to tweak their clothing until they were true to character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a story chosen for its overarching theme and number of characters. Davis has many students audition for parts and tries to find performances that allow him to engage as many students as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wish I had 60 people to show up every audition, but I don\u2019t; it\u2019s usually about 30. But most of the last few plays I\u2019ve done have had 8-10 characters and no more. So I decided I wanted to involve more kids. I always think of what I\u2019ve seen or read that impacted me when choosing a performance,\u201d Davis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He continued, \u201cWe have incredible kids down here. I\u2019m sure it\u2019s the same everywhere, but I know it for a fact. When we were only four weeks into rehearsals, the kids were already off-book through the first 70 pages. English teachers complain that they can\u2019t get kids to memorize a poem, and these guys quickly memorized 70 pages.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Davis, who\u2019s been the school\u2019s drama instructor for 29 years, credits the principal, Dr. Robert Ralston, for giving him creative space for the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDr. Ralston is largely responsible for our program\u2019s success. He trusts me, and he lets me do my thing. I think that\u2019s how all good leaders should be, and I try not to let him down. That trust is what allows us to do what we do,\u201d said Davis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Community Smokestack Theatre never fails to deliver performances that entertain and, at times, take us back in our memories to another place and time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood night, Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood night, Clay Boy.\u201d GN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Community Smokestack Theatre performed \u201cThe Homecoming\u201d last November under the direction of its drama instructor, Anthony Davis. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7986,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[27],"class_list":["post-7976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-january"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/DSC_1509-comments-1024x683.jpg\")