Wyandotte Roosevelt, Monroe Jefferson Drama Clubs Collaborate on First Joint Venture

The drama club will perform in its first collaborative production with the Monroe Jefferson drama club when the two present on Wednesday.

Allan McMillan, Roosevelt's drama club director, and Joni Louria Burgess, Monroe Jefferson drama club director, worked together on plays and musicals years ago. Burgess was a Roosevelt student and McMillan was her director.

Burgess graduated in 1992 and went on to pursue a degree in teaching. She is now the director of her own drama club for fifth- through twelfth-grade students at Jefferson Schools in Monroe. McMillan continues to teach English and direct the drama club at Roosevelt.

Throughout the years, McMillan and Burgess have helped each other with productions. They have borrowed costumes, materials and props from one another. McMillan has helped Burgess build sets and props. She has helped him with set painting.

“We compliment each other,” Burgess said.

The idea to collaborate came to McMillan when he attended the State Thespian Conference at Michigan State University and saw a show where eight different schools each contributed an act of a play. He described them more as baby plays, or vignettes. Each scene had its own ending but was linked theoretically.

Almost, Maine is a play about love. It tackles themes of unrequited love, brand-new love, having to let go of love and finding love in friendship. Burgess said the play is both quirky and touching.

Burgess said the students have found some aspects of love a little awkward, especially the two kisses that are part of the play.  

“They are excited to tackle the feeling behind the kiss,” Burgess said.

McMillan and Burgess have talked for some time about producing a show together and finally decided to just go for it. They both discussed it with their students and both groups were largely receptive to the idea.

“The kids were really keen about it,” McMillan said.

Burgess said this is new territory for the students.

“Normally, schools don’t collaborate; they compete,” Burgess said. “This is a noncompetitive collaboration, which makes it different.”

Both directors agree that working together is positive for everyone involved.

“I think it is good for the kids to see how other people work,” McMillan said. “It is good for them to get out of their own bubble.”

Burgess said collaborating can lead to new friendships and experiences for the students.

“They can see how their peers interact with one another and it can improve their performance,” Burgess said. “The more you watch, the more you learn.”

McMillan and Burgess tried to cast students who normally play comedic roles in more serious roles.

“You teach them what you can and try to get them to develop to their fullest potential,” McMillan said.

Each school will perform four scenes. The show also has a prologue, interlogue and epilogue that involve the same two characters. One character is played by Isabella DeShantz-Cook from Roosevelt. The other is played by Jacob Hoover from Monroe Jefferson.

Initially, the biggest challenge for the collaboration was finding an open day in May to schedule the performance. They were up against prom, spring concerts, Mayfest and Memorial Day weekend for scheduling. The two schools found dates that worked and then began the process of casting their scenes.

The schools have some differences. For instance, Jefferson is rural while Wyandotte is suburban.

Twenty-five years ago, McMillan inherited an auditorium set up with quality lighting and rigging. The previous director, Ernie Smith, was always around to offer suggestions and help solve problems.

Burgess started the drama program for Monroe Jefferson schools five years ago in her classroom and branched out from there. The Monroe Jefferson drama club performs on a stage in the cafeteria that is open to the halls with huge windows. They started with no props or supplies. Burgess said her students are excited for the chance to perform in a real auditorium.

“I do theater and I’m a teacher because of my theater teachers,” Burgess said. “It’s the best thing for kids. It really builds self-confidence.”

McMillan cites another difference between the two schools. Roosevelt has students McMillan calls “triple threats.” They're involved in band, choir and theater. Monroe Jefferson currently has no choir, but hopes to have one next year.

The show will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Roosevelt. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door or in advance from Chris Hensley in the or from Sheri Arminiak in Roosevelt's main office.