OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE - Blog

SHOWS, MORE SHOWS, & POINTS!!

3/16/2022

Dia dhuit Thespian! It’s your Points Chair Olin Here with a ton of updates:

POINTS
First thing that I will be talking about is points for shows. Just so you guys know after a show you have ten days from the last production to turn in points. Because The Wake of Jamey Foster just ended you have until March 8 to turn in all your points, anything after that will be denied. The end of the year is coming up which mean INDUCTIONS and LETTERING. This year we will be doing these a little different, on the website we will soon be having applications that you can fill out if you have met the requirements for these things. This is to make it easier for me and others on board when banquet comes around.

Shows
We have so many shows and when I mean so many, I mean A LOT. To go down in order the upcoming show is our main stage show Sabrina Fair will be performed March 31- April 2. Improv will do a parody on April 1 right after the performance that day. The next shows will be the special projects shows. Bible Girls Club will be performed April 14 and The Author Continued; will be performed April 15. The final improv show of the year is on April 20. Our Last shows going on will be One Acts April 28-29 we will have a lot more about that coming very soon.

Applications
Last updates I have is we will have a lot of applications coming out! This will include the theatre department scholarship, lettering, next year’s thespian board, and Theatre Special Projects class proposals. These Applications are out on the website and some are due now!

Stay tuned in to get information about our theatre banquet, voting, fundraisers, and much more coming up to wrap up this year!

That’s all for now thespians, but always strive to be the best you and encourage people to be great.

Sincerely, Olin in O mInor

Theatre & Good Friends- There's Nothing Better!

2/6/2022

Well, Hello There, Esteemed Theatre Enthusiasts!

How’s your year been so far? Good, hopefully! Mine has been good so far. Busy, per usual, but good, nonetheless. Crazy to think that February is already here! January always seems dreadfully long, but for some reason it felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. But that’s more of a good thing than bad, since there’s so much to be excited about in the upcoming months! This quite possibly may be our busiest theatre season ever, especially second semester. Not only because of the typical shows like the spring play, theatre for a cause, and one acts but also because of the two-student written and directed shows by Nick Begley and Halle Byers! I am so excited to see these shows come to life, read below to find out info about auditions!

Speaking of the typical shows, our Theatre for a Cause show, The Wake of Jamey Foster is running accordingly! I should know- I’m student directing it! It’s been so fun to challenge myself and work with my peers in a way I haven’t before. This show is a comedy but touches on some really important and serious topics. I just can’t wait to put it all together in front of an audience! It will have you in tears, guaranteed. Either from laughing or crying! In addition to TFAC, Sabrina Fair -the spring play- is up and running now! We just started rehearsals and even though we have had some conflicts as far as illness and injury, I can already see so much potential in this show. I am playing Maude Larrabee, not to spoil anything but, she is a type of character I’ve never really played before and I’m excited to challenge my acting capabilities once again. Yay! So much theatre fun!!

Mark these dates in your calendar:

Club Photos in AR for Thespians, Cappies, and Improv – Feb 7
Auditions for Student Directed Shows – Feb 8
Callbacks – Feb 10
Cast/Crew List – Feb 11
Valentine’s Improv Show – Feb 10 @ 7pm $5
The Wake of Jamey Foster – Feb 24, 25 & 26 @ 7pm $5
Sabrina Fair – Mar 31, Apr 1 & 2 @ 7pm $7

I think we can all agree that, as much as we love the art of theatre itself and our own respective roles in a production, good friends are the best part of theatre. At least I believe this, whole-heartedly. But not just in theatre- in life. My favorite memories I’ve ever made are with my friends! Good friends just make life good. Which sounds obvious and honestly like a waste of a sentence since- duh. But I think we overlook this sometimes. I know I do. I take for granted just how much my friends enhance my good times and make my bad times better. And maybe I’m just sitting here feeling cheesy and sentimental, but I can’t help it! Valentines is around the corner. That’s my excuse.

Tell your friends you appreciate them today!

“Whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.” -Elphaba, Wicked

No If’s or And’s,
Only (Hannah) Butts

We're Back!!!

2/6/2022

Guten Tag Thespians! It’s Olin again, your points chair. There isn’t a lot of new this time around, but that’s okay!

Sabrina Fair Auditions just happened, and we are so proud of all that audition and applied to be a crew head! I know you guys are going to do great. Rehearsals start this week and that means we’re going into business with everything!

We have two student directed shows coming up, Bibles Girl Club and The Author Continued, written by Nick Begley and Halle Byers. Auditions will be happening on February 8th. You must have a monologue memorized to audition! Tell your friends about these two shows, we need a lot of people to audition.

That’s all I have for now, but make sure to always stay positive and be great!

Sincerely, Olin in O minor

In Full Swing!!

12/14/2021

Hello Thespians! We’re almost to winter break! Whew, finally! I’m ready to have a nice, relaxing break and I’m sure everyone can agree on that with me! But with us going on break, there is much more information about the end of this week and after break!

Theatre ¾ just had auditions last week for our Theatre for A Cause show, The Wake Of Jamey Foster! Here’s a link to the cast/crew list so you can see who of your fellow thespian friends made the cut!
Fun fact: I am casted in this show and it’s the first show I am acting in since my freshman year! So, this is exciting for me!

We are still having a lot of our charitable events happening!

Saver’s FundDrive! Bring in bags of clothes and soft goods, such as handbags, boys, etc.! Or any books, home accessories, etc. in boxes! Thank you, Bella Parrett, for a MASSIVE 15 bag donation! We really appreciate you!

ADOPT-A-FAMILY is back! We are accepting gift cards to stores like Walmart, Aldi, Hy-vee, Price Chopper, etc.! We are also accepting cash donations as well to purchase larger gift cards to get a family a good Christmas meal!

Children’s Mercy Toy Drive is happening! Bring in NEW toys! If you bring in a $5 toy with proof, you can get into the Improv Show without purchasing a ticket!

The Improv Team is having a show on December 16th at 7pm! Make sure to come out and support your team and laugh at them! Tickets are $5 at the door!

Finally, December 14th during AR, we are finding out the NEW SPRING PLAY!!! Be sure to make an appearance so you can know first-hand about it! There is a digital pass on our Instagram page and our Thespian Board will be posting on our social media also!

That’s all I have for today, Thespians!
Remember to make someone smile!
Iz the Wiz

Hppy Hlidays, Thespians!!!

12/7/2021

Esteemed Theatre Enthusiasts! Hello!

December already?! I can’t believe it’s almost the end of the semester. Time is flying, and for once, I wish it wouldn’t! I am smack dab in the middle of my senior year and trying to cherish every moment of it.

The Theatre III/IV recruitment show was last weekend! It was so much fun having Antioch attend an in-class performance last Friday for future class and department recruitment. Hotline has been such a fun show to put together! The two separate casts have taken such different approaches to this one act, and I am excited to see how the audience enjoys them both!

Speaking of shows, our Last-Minute Replacements Improv Team has a show on Thursday, December 16th at 7:00 PM! It’s $5 for entry OR bring a $5 children’s toy as entry (bring your receipt!) for one admission, or a $25+ gift card for Adopt-A-Family and receive 2 free admissions to the show.

Dial in to these upcoming events;

Improv Show- December 16 @ 7pm for $5 (or a $5 Children’s toy w/ receipt)
Spring Play Announcement & Applications- December 14!
Adopt A Family- Now- December 17!
Children’s Mercy Hospital Toy Drive- Now- December 17!
Savers FunDrive- Now- December 17!

Other than Hotline, I’ve been really trying to put down the phone and pickup my computer and apply to colleges! I love to procrastinate, and the idea of graduating and growing up terrifies me, so these two things combined is the reason why I haven’t prioritized college stuff up until now. But I need to be thinking towards the future. And frankly, I’m running out of time to waste. I’ve just found it easier to live in the present and focus on all the responsibilities and fun of senior year, but what I fail to remember is that if I don’t focus on the responsibilities of applying to college, senior year will end and then my future won’t look so fun ha-ha.

Speaking of the future, time is flying! Right after Hotline ends, comes TFAC and then in January, the spring play! One thing you can always count on in the OP Theatre Department, is to be busy! There’s always something being worked on, something to help out with, and something to watch! The most special part of being a part of a production is seeing it grow and develop through the progression of rehearsals. Being a senior, it becomes bittersweet. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for my last semester of theatre!

On another note, Christmas is right around the corner, and I am so excited for it! I love all the festivities and holly jolly that this time of year brings. I can’t wait to see my loved ones open gifts I’ve gotten for them. It’s also important this time of year, to think about people less fortunate than us. Participating in our Children’s Mercy toy drive, or Adopt a Family is an easy and efficient way to make other people’s lives better during this holiday season. If you have any questions about these two projects, stop by the green room and talk to Mr. Ashpaugh about it!

That’s all for now, thespians. Happy Holidays!

“We must all do theatre, to find out who we are, and to discover who we could become.” – Augusto Boal

No If’s or And’s,
Only (Hannah) Butts

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

11/23/2021

Hey Fellow Thespians! It’s Olivia Zuniga, the Community Service Chair, I can bet we are all not only missing Bring It On, but we are all a little relieved as well! Personally, I am so excited for the future shows and all the events we have coming up!

First, we have Hotline student directed and done by the Theatre III/IV Class! Hotline is December 2nd-4th, at 7:00 P.M in the little theatre! Each ticket is $5.00! But for the show Hotline, we are doing a TOY DRIVE for the Children’s Mercy Hospital! If you bring a $5 toy WITH the receipt as proof, then you will get your admission in for the show! Guess what? We are doing the same thing for the Improv Show on DECEMBER 16th!! The improv team has worked so hard, and they are so excited for you to come see their Holiday Improv Show! (We will also be accepting toys outside those shows, and you can turn in toys during the normal school day!)

We also have some other events going on like Adopt-A-Family! Traditionally for adopt-a-family, we would give everyone specific lists of gifts and sizes for clothes to go buy for a family, but this year, we are participating in the Adopt-A-Family gift card program! We are collecting gift cards through December 17th, after school and during school. Some acceptable gift cards are from Target, Walmart, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, Aldi, Etc. or even cash! We do recommend that each gift card is a minimum of $20. More specific details will come out after Thanksgiving break.

We also have our next fundraiser coming up! I am super excited! We are doing a MOD Pizza fundraiser on December 5th, from 11:00-9:00! You HAVE to say you are there for Oak Park Theatre when you pay, or we won’t get the money for our department!

We hope you can participate in all the events and come see our December shows! Thanks thespians!

With Warm Hugs
OZ the Great and Powerful

THE SUCCESS IS NEAR!

10/27/2021

Hey thespians! It’s Izzy here! This is insane, we are almost to show week of the musical Bring It On! We only have TWO WEEKS LEFT! Time has been flying by so quickly! With the musical, rehearsals are going until 6 now! Tickets are now on sale, and you can find the link in the Bring It On tab under Current Season-2021-2022, or you can follow the QR code here! Tickets are $10 per person! Don’t forget to save the date of November 11-13 @7pm! Obviously if you are involved with the show, you will already be here (HAHA).

Things are getting hectic. Please make sure that you are here EVERY REHEARSAL! It is very crucial for everyone to be here now because of all the piecing together we must do to make the show happen! We still have a lot of work to do, but with our hard work and dedication, I know it is going to be one of the best shows we have ever done!

Be mindful that we are still having the Savors FUNDrive! It is going until December! We must collect 100 bags of clothes, shoes, bags, purses, etc. in order to get good money for our department from Savors! If we all bring in 3 bags, we will reach 100 easily! I know I’m brining in at least 4 because of all my clothes (yeah, I know, hoarder sometimes).

That’s all I got for you, Thespians!

Be sure to make someone smile today!

Iz The Wiz

FALLing Into Our Theatre Season!

10/27/2021

Hiya, Esteemed Theatre Enthusiasts!

Happy Fall! I know, fall started in September. But it hasn’t really even started to feel like fall until recently. Fall is one of the best seasons, but I may be a little biased, since I was born in October. Shout out to all the Libras out there! The superior zodiac sign. Again, may be a little biased.

One thing that always makes it feel like fall time is Fright Night! This production happened a couple weeks ago, and it was a success! We had such a great turn out, and it was amazing to get to perform in front of an unrestricted live audience again. Felt like the good ol’ days again. Theatre ¾ really pulled it together, and it was a scary good time.

Speaking of pulling it together, the cast of our fall musical is about to Bring It On! No, really- the show is Bring It On. If you haven’t bought tickets online yet or made plans with a friend to come see it, I encourage it strongly. Our first live musical in two years!

Another show that will be coming up shortly after the musical is our recruitment show, Hotline! This show is unique because it’s only a one act show, but we will be doing it twice- with two different casts and student directors! This one is just freshly started, but I already know it’s going to be such a fun show!

Dates you should care about:
Savers FUNDrive- Now – December 18!
Bring It On- November 11-13 @ 7pm $10
Hotline- December 2-4
Improv Show- December 18 @ 7pm $5

The other night was the first Improv show of the year from our improv team, The Last-Minute Replacements! Some of the funniest people I’ve ever met are members of the improv team, and so if you missed the Halloween show, make sure you don’t miss the December show, or the parodies they do Friday nights after our main stage productions!

Okay okay, now I’m done with the theatre promo. There’s just so much going on! Fall is a busy time for troupe 2758. It’s one of my favorite things about this season. Halloween is also one of the best parts of fall. I love to dress up, even though I quit trick or treating years ago. To me it’s another day to play another character I suppose, which if it isn’t obvious- I love doing that! Last year I went as Michael Jackson, which was my favorite costume to date. I love MJ, and I could rant about it for a long time- but maybe I’ll save that for a different time. This year, I’m not so sure yet about what I’m going to be! I need to figure it out quickly, though! So stay tuned for this year’s costume!

“There’s theatre in life, obviously, and there’s life in theatre.” -Charlie Kaufman

No If’s or And’s,
Only (Hannah) Butts

**EDIT** Ashpaugh was late posting this! SORRY!!!!

It's Show Time!!

10/13/2021

Hello thespians! Welcome to the next blog! This is my first blog I have ever written for the website so let me tell you a little about myself and Who I am! My name is Olivia Zuniga, and I am a senior! I am currently Community Service Chair on the Thespian board for Troupe #2758 for the 2021-2022 School Year! I am so excited to be working with you all this year on our productions and progressing with you all!

We do have a few events coming up, for example we had Fright night on Monday October 11th and Tuesdays October 12th at 7:00 P.M in the Little Theater! The theatre ¾ kids have been working so hard on this production, and they are so excited to perform it it for you all! I am excited to see it as well.

Another thing we have coming up is our Improv Show for this month! It’s on October 21st at 7:00 P.M in the little theater! They have been rehearsing and prepping hard for the show, so we hope you come out and see it! Improv Tickets are $5 per ticket!

Then we have our Fall Musical Bring It On! Everyday kids have been staying after school until 5:30 working their butts off to get this production going forward! Both the Tech and Cast have been putting a lot of Emotional, Mental and Physical work to this Production! The musical is on November 11th, 12th, and 13th at 7:00 P.M and each ticket is $10 Per Ticket

The Great & Powerful OZ

Olivia "OZ" Zuniga

Kicking Off October with a Bang!

10/1/2021

Namaste Thespians! This is My first-time writing time writing for you guys, so here is a little bit about me. My name is Olin Spencer, and I am the 2021-2022 Points Chair for Troupe #2758. I am SO overly excited about being on board this year and helping our troupe this year.

There are a Couple of upcoming events. Those Include:

Savers Fundrive – Sept 27- Oct 16
The Fundrive is a Fundraiser to help raise money for our Theatre Department. How Do you Help? That is a great Question. Please Refer to the picture for what can be taken in.

Bring it on – Nov 11,12 &13
The last upcoming event I want you all to be aware of is Bring it on. It is doing great, we have killer choreo and starting just next week we will start blocking. Actors make sure you are getting your lines down or Mr. Ashpaugh might throw a shoe at you HAHAHA.

Fright Night – Oct 11 & 12
After 1 long year of Covid-19 I finally after the pleasure of saying Fright Night will have Live Audiences again. Fright Night is a something Theatre III/IV puts on every year. The make scary stories and tell them while scaring their audiences. This will be a Spooky Night so make sure not to miss out.

That Is all I Have for now but make Sure to always Stay Positive and Be great!

"We're all damaged, we're all frightened, we're all freaks- and that's alright." -Heathers

Sincerely,Olin in O minor