A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

In high school, I was a huge science fiction fan (okay, nerd). My favorite collection was the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, and one of its volumes contained a story by Clifford D. Simak called “The Big Front Yard.” The story involves aliens taking over the house of a small town antique collector/restorer and using it to connect Earth with other planets. While this play bears little resemblance to Mr. Simak’s story, it was that idea which inspired me, and I like to give credit where credit is due - hence the family name of the main character, Elise Simak.

Oyer’s Corners, as I’m sure many of you know, was the original name of my home town of Springport. If you listen carefully, you’ll also hear references to a few other locations that are still on the Michigan map, even if you could drive through them without ever noticing. Despite these local connections, let’s get the disclaimer out of the way: This play is a work of fiction, and any resemblance between its characters and real persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental. Unless it’s one of my family members or friends who wouldn’t sue me. Then it’s mostly coincidental . . . or sort of coincidental.

I’d like to thank Dr. Paul Patton for his input on this script, and also Ben Kono and the host of SAU students who gave it a staged reading in February. And, as noted in her senior bio, I appreciate Melyssa Fitzpatrick’s help in developing the character of Elise.

As always, it has been tremendous fun working with this amazing group of young actors and actresses and watching them bring these characters to life. May you enjoy watching them as much as I have enjoyed directing them.

Dean L. Dyer

artwork by Brittanie Bice

Scene SynopSiS:ACT I

Scene 1: A sidewalk in the city, late evening Friday.Scene 2: Barb & Bett’s Flying Saucer Cafe, Saturday morningScene 3: Barb & Bett’s Flying Saucer Cafe, late Saturday nightScene 4: Barb & Bett’s Flying Saucer Cafe, Sunday morningScene 5: Barb & Bett’s Flying Saucer Cafe, 7 pm on Sunday

INTERMISSION

ACT II

Scene 1: Barb & Bett’s Flying Saucer Cafe, Monday morningScene 2: A secluded spot in the town park, late Monday morningScene 3: Barb & Bett’s Flying Saucer Cafe, Monday afternoonScene 4: Barb & Bett’s Flying Saucer Cafe, Monday evening

SynopSiS:

Elise Simak has just finished college, and she’s definitely ready to take on the world. Now she just has to tell her family about her plans. The problem is that her family lives in Oyer’s Corners, also known as Area 52, a town full of odd folks who make a living by luring UFO seekers with a series of gimmicks, tricks and outright deceptions. Elise’s grandfather, Jebediah Simak, started the whole UFO legend nearly forty years ago when he claimed to have been abducted and taken aboard a flying saucer for “testing.” New tech-nology is making it increasingly difficult to fool tourists, and the townsfolk are struggling to keep the legend - and Oyer’s Corners - alive. When a pair of FBI agents appear and announce they are investigating allegations of fraud it looks like all is lost, but then some newcomers to the town reveal that we are not alone after all.

* Please turn off all cell phones ** Please enter and exit the auditorium inbetween scenes. *

cAST

eliSe SimAk Grace Patton Understudy: Hannah NicholsAndreA Katelyn Morgan

BeTTy SimAk Melyssa FitzpatrickBArB SimAk Haley Glinz

mr. QuASAr Clifton ChanmrS. QuASAr Emma Shafer

Understudy: Grace Coffeylulu Abby Kono

AnnABelle Shannan TrudellFlorA JeAn Hannah Ball

leSTer Harold DevineJeBediAh SimAk Craig Campbell

eSTher Jo WoolWorTh Danielle WisdomryAn lecrone John Grannan

melvin Jared SpicemAyor hogWeed Ally Fransted

BoBBy rAy Ben CooleylynWood, Jr. Ben McGillJeWel roSe Sara Rivera

Breezy Brittanie BiceAgenT muddler Austin LyonAgenT Scurvy Caila Conklin

SS AgenT 1 Parker YkimoffSS AgenT 2 Samantha Alvarado

SS AgenT 3 Hannah RileySS AgenT 4 Parker Brue

preSidenT TAchzmoor JJ SheetsThom crude Tony Mayotte

linzee loWcuT Alyssa Tippensreverend i. m. Fohney Derek Skyrzynski

ShAmmy FAye Jacquelyn Marks

Extras:cop Zane Waggoner

SASQuATcheS Alex Sponsler, Kodiak KidderPassersby/aliens Chester Chan, Austin Meredith, Daniel

Rauch, Alyssa Benn, Emily Giffin, Bailey Shepherd

creW

heAd Tech Katy MarshallEmily Arntz

Amanda BakerLane GillmanJosh Rennell

Gabe RowlisonNathan Smith-Timlin

Kirsten Sponsler

producTion STAFF

Director deAn dyerTechnical Director STAn giBBS

Publications Manager cliFTon chAnPoster/Program Artwork BriTTAnie Bice

Printing (JACC) STeven AndreWS, kirSTen SponSler

Senior cAST & creW

Grace Patton

KatelynMorgan

MelyssaFitzpatrick

CliftonChan

EmmaShafer

Shannan Trudell

HannahBall

JohnGrannan

Ben Cooley

SaraRivera

AustinLyon

CailaConklin

JJSheets

StevenAndrews

KirstenSponsler

If I wrote everything I’d like to say about these seniors, this program would be longer than the script for the show. I always tell people that my favorite thing about high school theatre is watching the kids build relationships that will last a lifetime. Nothing takes as much guts for teenagers as opening up emotionally in front of their peers, and that’s really what theatre is all about. Imagine how fortunate I felt in 2007 when a whole class of freshmen showed up who basically already had those relationships established with each other. Add to that their immense amount of individual talent and a willingness to work hard to perfect every moment of every show and--well, they’re just a very special group.

It was this senior class that prompted me to start the JV show, and they were the ones who, after attending Hillsdale College’s Drama Day, came up with the notion of hosting our own Drama Day for Western elementary students. They are the first class to be cast members in every show I’ve written, originating roles and leaving their mark on each script before it went to publication. And they are the group that led us back into festival participation, placing second overall at this year’s JCC High School One Act Festival and taking home more individual and team trophies than any other school.

So here we are, four short years later, and now it’s time to say goodbye to them. I’d be lying to you if I said that I haven’t been dreading this moment all year long, but I know that because of these seniors our program is stronger than ever. Underclassmen, you have some very large shoes to fill. Class of 2011: Thank you so much for your contribution to our Theatre Arts Program and for all the special memories. I’m never gonna get y’all off’n my shoe.

Dean L. Dyer

SENIOR NOTES

*grAce pATTon (Elise Simak): Grace began her WHS stage career as the clueless Ashleigh in Becoming Juliet. She was a pickle judge/chorus member in State Fair; Gwendolyn in An Emperor Exposed; Clovis in Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire?; flapper Cora in Thoroughly Modern Millie; leading lady and witch fighter Lydia in A Summoning At Thorn River High; boy crazy freshman Lindsey in That Sixties Prom; and lead nurse Lt. Genevieve Marshall in South Pacific. Grace played the lead role in our Play Pro class one act show as a sophomore, and this year her portrayal of Consumer #2 in Status Update at JCC won her first place honors as Best Actress. This year, she also stepped into the director’s role for the JV play, Up the Down Staircase.

In the fall, Grace plans on attending Cornerstone University to study Theatre and Sociology.

Coming from her own theatre family, Grace has been an immensely important member of ours. Her ability to analyze roles quickly and then build and refine her characters is a joy to watch. While she excels in dramatic roles, she is also a capable comedienne. We expect to hear plenty about Grace as she moves on to bigger stages, and her impact on our younger performers will be an important part of our future as well.

About her experiences at WHS, Grace says: “I would just like to say that I have had an incredible experience with Western’s theatre program. I’ve been involved in so many wonderful productions and become friends with some incredible people as a result of it. To the dear underclassmen - First of all it has been an absolute pleasure working with and directing some of you. You guys have some amazing talent; I can’t wait to watch you all shine next year. Just remember, don’t take these experiences for granted, and enjoy the people you’re with. You have a chance to be a part of something magical.”

—

*kATelyn morgAn (Andrea): Katelyn got off to a quick start, making the cast of Becoming Juliet in a named role (snotty

cheerleader Lyndsey Pomeroy) and never looked back. She followed with: chorus member in State Fair; leading lady Denny Perkins in Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire?; office stenog in Thoroughly Modern Millie; Amber Shilling in A Summoning at Thorn River High; boy-crazy freshman Ashley in That Sixties Prom; and Ensign Dinah Murphy in South Pacific. She also portrayed Consumer #3 in Status Update at JCC, earning a 3rd place trophy in the Best Actress category. She was also an active participant in the variety shows.

After graduation, Katelyn will be attending the Literature, Science and Arts College of the University of Michigan to study medicine.

Katelyn’s stage and high school career can easily be summed up in one word: enthusiasm. She literally leaps into each role on stage, and it’s a pleasure to watch her face as she begins to morph into a character. Katelyn is an active volunteer and a natural leader, and we may just have to add some extra lighting next year to replace her brilliance on our stage.

Katelyn leaves this for her junior cast members: “To my fellow thespians: Encourage and respect one another. From the moment practices start, up until the last bow on the final night, you’ll be practically living together. The friendships you’ll create will help you through the stress, and save you from the ‘I’m-not-in-this-scene’ boredom. Memorize your lines BEFORE Mr. Dyer yells at you, and always make sure you know how the stage is set up, so you don’t trip over the same coffee table three times in one show like I did. We’ve shared innumerable memories, and, thanks to the ridiculous pictures on Facebook, I will never forget them. We’ve laughed our faces sore, danced our feet to blisters, and sung our voices to raspy whispers, and it’s all been worth it, a hundred times over. Here’s to one last performance! Techs, keep up the good work, you guys are amazing. Oh, and if it still exists, be good to my watermelon ball. To the adults in my life: Thank you, for coming to see each and every show, the flowers, the hugs and the heart-felt “I’m so proud of you”s. Keep supporting the arts to keep them alive. And to Mr. Dyer: We are nothing without you. The stage is just concrete, the sets just wood, and the people just ordinary, but when you direct them together - for every play starting my

SENIOR NOTES

freshman year! – it becomes living art. I am in awe. You’ve been the most influential person in my life, and for that, I am eternally grateful. It’s truly been an honor.”

—

melySSA FiTzpATrick (Betty Simak): Although she avoided musicals until we finally dragged her onto the stage as Ensign Connie Walewska in last fall’s South Pacific, Melyssa has definitely been a valued member of our program. She began her stage career as a freshman, playing stuck-up cheerleader Lindsay Greenbrook in Becoming Juliet. Her other roles include: an extra in An Emperor Exposed; villain Sally Dean in Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire?; pit orchestra member in Thoroughly Modern Millie; the shadowy misfit Cassie in A Summoning at Thorn River High; and sarcasm queen Jenn in That Sixties Prom. Melyssa also played the role of Consumer #3 in this year’s variety show performance of Status Update, and won a trophy for being part of the first place stage crew with the same show at the JCC One Act Festival. Tonight she’s Betty Simak, a restaurant co-owner with a past.

When I began writing the script for this show last spring, it was Melyssa’s 11th grade autobiography that helped me create the character of Elise Simak. Melyssa also gets credit for originating the story Lester tells of his very hairy Aunt Matilda, which she was kind enough to “loan” me. We will definitely miss her gift for sarcasm and her ability to add depth and meaning to even the smallest character roles.

Melyssa’s parting words: “I have enjoyed being in 10 performances, and all the time I have put into drama. My advice for the underclassmen and upcoming seniors would be to make your character a real person, and enjoy being someone other than yourself for awhile. And do your homework when you’re not onstage... seriously, you won’t do it when you get home.” (Yeah, she definitely knows about that last part.)

—

*cliFTon chAn (Mr. Quasar): Clifton began his career as the serious freshman Randy in Becoming Juliet, then followed it up as the Announcer (and a roustabout) in State Fair. His other roles included: Thomas, An Emperor Exposed; the hyper tense Sam Dithers, Who’s Dying to Be a Millionaire? ; Bun Foo, Thoroughly Modern Millie; youth pastor Jeremy, A Summoning at Thorn River High; Adam, That Sixties Prom; and pit orchestra member, South Pacific. He also originated the role of Passerby in the Variety Show performance of Status Update. His work has also included managing publications for A Summoning at Thorn River, Virgil’s Wedding, That Sixties Prom, South Pacific, Up the Down Staircase, The Day the Cornfield Stood Still, and several Variety Shows.

As of this writing, Clifton says his plans for next fall include attending: “Hope/U of M/Northwestern/Wheaton (I haven’t picked yet!) to study chemistry and music performance.” Whichever one you choose, Clifton, will be lucky to have you!

Clifton is a dedicated performer who is always willing to help with anything. But more than that, he is a truly gifted artist in a variety of ways. Since his sophomore year, he has been designing and producing our programs and posters and managing our Facebook page. Clifton created that nifty logo you see on our page and on many of our clothing items. His passion for literature, music, and art show through in everything he does, and he has helped raise our entire program to a higher level.

Never one to belabor a point, Clifton has this advice for the underclassmen: “Enjoy high school while you can! Find your passions, and get involved. You won’t regret it.”

—

*emmA ShAFer (Mrs. Quasar): Refusing to be just another extra in Becoming Juliet, Emma stole plenty of laughs with the nerdy persona she created. She followed that role up as a chorus member in State Fair, then cut it up as an “extra and a half” in An Emperor Exposed. Later roles included: a Priscilla girl in Thoroughly Modern Millie; a crazy cat lady named Sophie in Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire?; Mrs. Woodring in A Summoning at Thorn River

SENIOR NOTES

High; the conniving Mrs. Avondale in That Sixties Prom, and Bloody Mary in South Pacific. Emma played Consumer #2 in the Variety Show performance of Status Update, and then earned Special Recognition for Make-Up and a 2nd place trophy as Best Stage Manager at JCC.

Emma will stay close to home next year as she majors in Youth Ministry at Spring Arbor University.

Always at her best when she’s cutting up, Emma helps to keep things fun, even if she sometimes doesn’t quit when Mr. Dyer’s talking . . . ahem. She knows how to get down to business when the time comes, however, and her portrayal of Bloody Mary last year was a great example of just how deep her talent is, both acting and singing. Oh, and we’ll also miss her talents in the make-up room.

Emma leaves us these thoughts: “If I could say anything to our awesome underclassmen it would be to just have fun. Seriously guys, you may not get this kind of opportunity again so make the most of it even if you’re not the lead role! Don’t be afraid to take risks on the stage and put yourself into a character, you won’t regret it! Thanks again to Mr. Dyer and everyone who has helped us along the way to made this incredible journey possible!”

—

ShAnnAn Trudell (Annabelle): Shannan began her WHS stage career as an extra in Becoming Juliet. Her later roles included: Extra, An Emperor Exposed; Kate, Who’s Dying to Be a Millionaire?; Mrs. Adams, A Summoning at Thorn River High; stressed out prom committee chairman Andrea, That Sixties Prom; and Ensign Rita Adams, South Pacific. Shannan also worked behind the scenes providing tech support for a couple shows.

Shannan will attend Lake Superior State next fall to study Biology. She plans to offset the cold of Houghton by getting an internship at Hawaii State.

Shannan has a great talent for bringing out the quirks in her

characters, which is probably because . . . well, she’s pretty quirky herself! We’ll miss her fun sense of humor and her artistic talent as well.

Here’s what Shannan leaves for the underclassmen: “What up dudes! This is Shannan Trudell here. I have been a four year participant of the Western High School Theatre Arts Program. I have done it all, from behind the scences as a techie to playing it up on the stage. I can rock the spotlight and I can be as lively as you can get on stage--plus I have mastered playing dead :p The most rewarding part of being in a production is having my own fan-club watching in the crowd (it ain’t no little group either =D) I hope everyone has a terrific year. Seniors, live it up and love it!”

—

hAnnAh BAll (Flora Jean): As a freshman, Hannah was an extra in Becoming Juliet, before disappearing into the pit for a while to play clarinet and saxophone in both Thoroughly Modern Millie and South Pacific. She was back on stage as the wise-cracking Amanda in That Sixties Prom.

Next fall, you’ll find Hannah just down the road at Spring Arbor University, where she plans to major in Communications.Hannah loves to read and analyze literature, and she does a great job of developing her character roles. Her contributions to our musicals from the pit will also be missed.

Hannah leaves this for the underclassmen: “I have really enjoyed being a part of these fantastic stage and pit performances, along with hanging out with friends and making new ones. My advice to underclassman is to get involved in performances (or sports, whatever!) because it makes school so much better! Just trust me.”

—

*John grAnnAn (Ryan LeCrone): Like many of this year’s seniors, John began his WHS stage career as an extra in Becoming Juliet. His other roles were: chorus member, State Fair; the dim-witted, lecherous Eldred, An Emperor Exposed; slimy Reginald

SENIOR NOTES

Smarmy, Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire?; Kevin, A Summoning At Thorn River High; Mr. Starling, That Sixties Prom; Lt. Cable, South Pacific. He was also an emcee in three variety shows, and played the part of Store Manager in Status Update at JCC, where he received Honorable Mention in the Best Supporting Actor category.

Next fall, John will be attending DePaul University to study film at their college of Computing and Digital Media.

As a freshman who was high on talent, but short on stature, John quickly demonstrated a flair for working with the ladies. His transition from comic relief to romantic leading man was complete by his junior year, and his portrayal of Lt. Joe Cable in last fall’s South Pacific solidified his place as an All-Star on the WHS stage. We’ll miss his quick wit and his phenomenal work ethic.

John leaves these words for the underclassmen: “I would just like to say to the rest of the cast that it has been such a great experience getting to know everyone and creating some excellent memories. Keep on bringing the Western spirit to all the productions that are to come!”

—

Ben cooley (Bobby Ray): Ben started behind the scenes as a techie in his sophomore year, assisting with lights for An Emperor Exposed and then taking over on lights for Who’s Dying to be a Millionaire?. Getting a taste for theatre, he emerged on stage in the chorus of Thoroughly Modern Millie, then followed that up as Mr. Avery in A Summoning at Thorn River High and school board president Joe Brown in That Sixties Prom. Ben really got his game on last fall as Luther Billis in South Pacific. He also played Consumer #1 in the variety show presentation of Status Update, the worked as head technician for the show at the JCC One Act Festival where he made several trips up and down the aisles picking up awards, including a second place trophy in the Best Tech Director category.

Next fall, Ben will be attending Eastern Michigan University where he plans to major in Mathematics education and minor in Theatre

Arts.

Ben has been a huge asset to our program, both acting on stage and using his construction skills in the scene shop. He’s always quick to volunteer when there’s work to be done. And let’s face it: not just any guy is willing to throw on a coconut bra and do a hula dance in front of an audience. We’ll miss his quick smile and his sense of humor as well.

For the underclassmen, Ben says: “I have enjoyed all eight shows that I have been a part of and would always do any of my roles again in a heartbeat . . . especially Billis! To all of you underclassmen just go out and have fun with performing. It makes high school so much more enjoyable, and it is something that you can be quite good at too. Just be yourself because no one will like you more than when you are just being yourself.”

—

SArA riverA (Jewel Rose): Sara waited until her sophomore year to start her stage career, playing an extra in An Emperor Exposed. She quickly became a regular member of our program with roles including: Barbara in Who’s Dying to Be a Millionaire?; a stenog in Thoroughly Modern Millie; Samantha in A Summoning at Thorn River High; the beautiful but approachable Ginelle in That Sixties Prom, and Ensign Bessie Noonan in South Pacific.

Next fall Sara plans to attend Central Michigan University to major in children’s education and hopefully teach kindergarten in the future.

Sara’s brilliant smile and easygoing nature make her a great character actress. She also has a great sense of humor and an ability to get along with pretty much anyone. And, of course, we’ll definitely miss her gorgeous hair flipping on our stage.

Sara has this to say to those who remain behind: “I will never forget auditioning for my first show for Western High School my sophomore year. I have loved every moment of being in drama--it is one of my favorite hobbies and the memories and life-long

SENIOR NOTES

friendships will be carried with me to college. One of my favorite memories this year was messing around in the make-up room with Grace Patton during South Pacific. Underclassmen: there is no such thing as a small part, even if it seems that way. Make sure you act your little hearts out, and good luck in the productions to come.”

—

*AuSTin lyon (Agent Muddler): Yet another freshman extra in Becoming Juliet, Austin’s tremendous vocal talents wouldn’t allow him to hide in the background for long. His next role was as hog farmer Lem in State Fair, and then he was off to a long string of major and leading roles: Mordred, An Emperor Exposed; Mac, Who’s Dying to Be a Millionaire; Leading man Jimmy, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Evan, A Summoning at Thorn River High; realist freshman Robert, That Sixties Prom; and, of course, leading man Emile DeBecque in South Pacific. Austin also played Consumer #1 in Status Update at JCC, taking a third place trophy in the Best Actor category.

Austin will be attending Anderson University in the fall with a major in Music Business and a minor in Vocal Performance.

There’s no doubt we’ll miss his wonderful voice and his acting ability, but more than anything, Austin’s stage career has been characterized by his good nature and kindness. He’s a natural leader by example, and his positive influence on younger cast members will benefit our program for years to come.

Here’s what Austin has to say: “Now we are at the last show where I will be playing Agent Muddler. I have had such a blast being involved in this production and productions in the past. I am excited for what God brings my way as I venture into this new chapter of my life. If I could tell the underclassmen anything it would be to never think that you can’t play a part you received or be a part you want. Always keep your head up and reach for your goal.”

—

*cAilA conklin (FBI Agent Scurvy): We definitely never had to drag this brilliant young actress onto the stage! Caila’s long list of roles includes: An extra in Becoming Juliet; the Bearded Lady/chorus member, State Fair; Minerva, An Emperor Exposed; Joyce Mansfield, Who’s Dying to Be a Millionaire?; Rita, Thoroughly Modern Millie; Kallie, A Summoning at Thorn River High; Candice Clark, That Sixties Prom; Nellie Forbush, South Pacific; and the Passerby in Status Update at this year’s JCC One Act Festival, where she earned a second place Best Supporting Actress trophy. The judges at JCC complimented Caila on her “sweet stage presence,” so naturally she wanted to break out of that mold. Hence her portrayal of tough and nasty FBI Agent Scurvy in this show. Caila was also active in the Variety Shows.

Next year, Caila plans to attend Western Michigan University to pursue a degree in Music Therapy.

Although it’s been fun to watch Caila being mean on stage for a change, the sweetness that the JCC judges noted is a much clearer reflection of her as a performer and a person. It was this quality that led to her breakout lead performance as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific last fall, and which has made her such a valuable part of our program. Her quick smile and can-do attitude will be missed.

As she leaves us for the real world, Caila says: “A word of advice for all the lovely theatre underclassmen: high school goes by far too quickly so make the most of every day in rehearsals and enjoy the friendships that you build along the way . . .”

—

JJ SheeTS (President Tachzmoor): Like Sara, JJ waited until his sophomore year to join us, but he quickly became an important member of our troupe. He began with a small role as the curmudgeonly George R. Well in An Emperor Exposed, then followed with: butler/chorus member, Thoroughly Modern Millie: Mr. Woodring, A Summoning at Thorn River High; Shy junior Devin, That Sixties Prom: The Professor, South Pacific.

Next year, JJ plans on attending Michigan State University’s

SENIOR NOTES

College of Natural Science, majoring in Genomics and Molecular Genetics to pursue a career as a researcher in genetics. He also plans to minor in German and study abroad for a year in Germany.

JJ is another example of how enjoyable this business can be. With each show he stepped further and further out of his shell as his talent and comfort level evolved on stage. We will miss his quiet humor and gentle nature, which shined through in all of his roles.

JJ’s parting words: “I just want you to know that all you need to do is be yourself. Yeah, this sounds really cheesy, but seriously. This is the time of your life where you basically choose how the rest of your life will be. So, don’t slack off and start failing classes even though all you need to do is do your work (pretty much all of them). With that said, be yourself and find your niche where you can do your own thing. Don’t worry what anybody else says about you, because no matter how terrible it is what they think will not matter when you are done with high school. Also, enjoy yourself and have fun while it lasts.”

—

STeven AndreWS (Techie): Steven has been a regular member of our tech crew since his sophomore year, working in An Emperor Exposed, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A Summoning at Thorn River High, That Sixties Prom and South Pacific. Steven has also been responsible for printing all of our programs and posters for the last several shows through his position at JACC.

—

kirSTen SponSler (Techie): Kirsten joined us as a techie in her sophomore year and quickly became a regular. She’s worked behind the scenes for An Emperor Exposed, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Virgil’s Wedding, That Sixties Prom, South Pacific and Up the Down Staircase. We also managed to coax her out on stage a couple times, as Pheobe, the edgy make-up artist in Who’s Dying to Be a Millionaire and as Betsy, the “enforcer” for a group of misunderstood goth girls in A Summoning at Thorn River High.

Next fall, Kirsten will attend JCC for a year before transferring to Ferris State, where she plans to major in Print Management and Design.

Kirsten has an amazing work ethic, and we’ve been fortunate to have her around, especially considering her active involvement in a number of other activities. Another of our skilled artists, her talent with a brush has enhanced the appearance of many of our sets. Kirsten is pretty quiet by nature, and it was great fun watching her fill those two roles on stage as well.

Kirsten’s parting words: “When the wind blows, bend easily and trust your roots to hold. Remember, techs are like ninjas, so be one with the darkness, little techs.”

* Cast members who have been involved in every production of their high school careers. Wow!

SENIOR NOTES

JJ…Break a leg & have fun! Love Nikki, Katie, Kristen & Sandy

———JJ…So proud of you and all you do. We

have really enjoyed watching you perform ever since the Wizard of Oz at Bean.

Love you, Mom & Dad———

Congratulations on a great show! Mr. & Mrs. Bickel

———Way to go Sarita! Enjoy your last 2011

Senior Play! Besitos,

Mom, Dad, and Samantha

Clifton,

Congratulations on your accomplishments

in the theatre arts program at WHS. We will always remember the Bun Foo character and the many others that you played so well all these years.

Love,Mom, Dad, & Chester

SpeciAl ThAnkS To:

Cori DyerDon Dyer

Justin Henry Sue Creery

Mike MacGuinness

WTAA members

Christy GrannanSusie Conklin

Mr. & Mrs. John SheetsColleen Rennell

Shirley CampbellPatty GlinzPatty Brue

Beth PattonMaria SantanaLisa Ykimoff

. . . and the many others who have contributed time and materials to make this show a success.

A Western High School Theatre Arts Production