It doesn’t take a split personality to get a part in the school play at Stadium Drive Elementary — but it might help.
Especially when the lead role in the play is none other than the duplicitous character known as Dr. Jeckyl.
Following the creative lead of drama teacher Karey Hart, fifth-grade students acted, danced and sang their way through two performances of the musical spoof, ‘Dr. Jeckyl, Please Don’t Hyde? last week.
The play drew rave reviews from critics that included the performers? moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, teachers and fellow students.
Hart, now in her seventh year of teaching, said the students devoted one hour a week over a six-week period to rehearsals for the play.
Although the children worked hard, she said their effort evolved into a labor of love.
Mitchell Malfroid, 10, who played Dr. Jeckyl, said he liked playing the lead role and is getting more comfortable on stage. He’s looking forward to doing more of the same.
‘It’s just a lot of fun,? said Mitchell. ‘The most challenging thing was the pressure of not forgetting my lines, but I think I did pretty good.?
Eleven-year-old Robbie Krohn enjoyed his dual role as a musician and choir member in the play. Although he hopes to be either a dancer or part of the tech crew in future productions.
‘I played the bongo drums on a couple of songs and then I switched back to the chorus to sing,? Robbie said. ‘It was fun, and I learned a lot about articulation and dynamics from Mr. Gordon, the music teacher.?
Hart believes all the students learn and benefit from taking part in the regularly scheduled plays, which are presented annually in the autumn and spring.
‘This play was very amusing for the audience and for the kids,? she said. ‘It was one time when we told the kids it was okay to ‘overact,? and they had a lot of fun doing just that.?
When Hart isn’t teaching and directing plays, she is at work finding ways to help fund programs at the art-based school.
‘I’m applying for grants for our program,? she said. ‘The irony is that it’s harder to get grant money for existing programs than for new ones.?
Nevertheless, she, her students and their parents appear to enjoy the opportunities at Stadium Drive.
‘We’re all extremely happy with the program,? said Hart, alluding to the full house in attendance for this week’s play. ‘It was standing-room only. We put out all the chairs and everybody else had to find a place to stand.?
Hart said the school’s fourth graders will present a spring play, but she has yet to decide on a specific production.
For the time being, she’s happy with the way her students responded to the most recent play.
‘This was a lot of fun for everyone,? she said. ‘The music was great, the dancing was great and the sets were great.
‘We had a really good time with this play.?