Schools
Oak Middle School's Acorn Players Present "Oliver"
The cast and crew have been working really hard on this show, based on the Dickens' classic, which is sure to delight everyone.
The Charles Dicken's classic about an orphan boy named Oliver will be presented by the Acorn Players this weekend.
Shows are on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m.
Jenn Webb, drama teacher and the Director of “Oliver” is really proud of her cast and crew in their commitment and hard work to getting this show ready. This show has something for everyone—there’s great acting, wonderfully performed songs and a hard working crew that helps with the set.
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The cast is comprised of about 60 students. Auditions were held in February and rehearsals began at the beginning of March. Traditionally, the show is an eight or nine-week process from auditions to the performances. The show is based on the classic Charles Dickens book and has a lot of historical reference.
Webb has been doing shows here for the past eight years. Being that the middle school is comprised of both seventh and eighth grade, she likes to give the students an opportunity to have two different theatrical experiences.
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“I like to do different genres each year to explore. What I like about “Oliver” is that it is a classic. Last year, we did “High School Musical” which was a big name blockbuster that almost all of the kids know," she said. "In the middle school, I also like the students to experience a real Broadway play. I might edit the elements that might be inappropriate and have the kids rise to that level.”
"For example, in this show, the killing of Nancy is not done on stage," she added, "It has to happen because it’s an integral part of the show but it’s done off stage."
Eden Nativ will be playing the role of Oliver. She is a seventh grader and is excited to be performing one of the lead roles in this show. Gail Fabbri, also a seventh grader, is playing the role of Nancy. Fagan is played by Alex Fatato, an eighth grader, who is the villainous character. Lucas Remington plays the role of Bill Sykes.
“Although being in the show is a lot of hard work, it’s also really fun. I really enjoy playing my character because she is very motherly to the orphans and plays around with them,” Fabbri said.
As part of the Allied Arts Program, all seventh graders go through a 30-day cycle of drama class. Eighth graders have other electives like electronic music. To enrich this program there are after school offerings. One of them is the spring musical. Students interested in that craft are encouraged to audition. If they are selected, they become part of this eight-week process. Webb also believes that this helps to lay the foundation for those that continue performing in the high school.
“I think having the kids take a feeling of ownership from this show and what it’s like to collaborate, communicate (not by text), what it is to be human and interact with one another and realize that without everyone carrying their weight, the show won’t happen,” Webb said.
This kind of discipline is really a life skill through drama. Webb agrees that this type of discipline serves people well no matter what they end up doing in life.
“The arts brings the human quality back into the equation, especially when we’re into this tech-savvy world. That’s the uniqueness of theater,” Webb said.
Tickets will be sold at the door prior to each show. For students and seniors, tickets cost $5 and for adults tickets cost $10. The box office will open at 6 p.m.
