Imagine if you were told there was no way for you to be in your all-time favorite class.
You’ve worked your entire high school career for this, only to be disappointed in the end.
This has been true for some acting students due to a change in the drama department — an additional Repertory Theatre (Rep) class.
Now, Rep has a majority of sophomores, while upperclassmen are generally in Advanced Rep.
In Rep, students put on plays as a class. This allows students to practice auditioning, work with their parts and then actually perform plays.
Drama teacher Jeff Yarnell said he wanted two Rep classes so more students could get involved. With the second class, Yarnell can adjust each class to meet the needs of the students in it.
Three-year Rep student senior Rachel Phillips said the additional class has caused some scheduling problems, specifically between the drama and choir departments. Though Phillips was able to be in two choir classes as well as Rep, she knows it would have been difficult to choose between these two activities.
“It would be hard,” she said. “I really, really like Rep, and it’s been a part of my life for three years now, so I’m not sure that I’d really [want to] give it up.”
Yarnell said these scheduling problems did not surprise him.
“No matter what you do, there are always going to be some scheduling conflicts,” he said.
Yarnell said he believes some changes can be made so more students can take one of the Rep classes in the future. Students who can’t be in Rep can still be involved in theater by acting in the mainstage shows or being a part of the tech crews.
Phillips said she enjoys the friendships made as well as the experiences she has been able to have.
“[Rep has] given me a group of people to go to — a group of people who I know are my friends — and I know they’re there for me,” she said. “It gives me a great way to end the day with people to talk to. I like getting to know everybody, but I also like that we’re able to be serious and get work done and learn a lot about acting, as well. And, of course, I love actually putting on the shows.”