The Drama Club, under the direction of math teacher Kathleen Lawson, has received $18,200 since its inception in 2003.
Clik here to view.
Kelly Tabb, left, and Cammi Barkett rehearse a scene from the Williams Middle School Drama Club's recent production of "Alice in Wonderland."
LONGMEADOW - For 10 years, the students at Williams Middle School have enjoyed the chance to participate in an after-school drama club thanks to mathematics teacher Kathleen Lawson and the generosity of the Longmeadow Educational Excellence Foundation.
"Every year after that first year, the club has received a grant from (the foundation)," Lawson said. This past year's grant totaled $2,250. Overall, the Drama Club has received $18,200 since its inception in 2003.
The grants have enabled Lawson, who says drama has always been a hobby of hers, to purchase spotlights for the auditorium, all new lighting in the front of the stage and backstage, as well as wireless mics. The grants have also covered royalties on the plays Lawson uses and materials for the stage sets.
Clik here to view.
Madison Romano, left, and Cammi Barkett rehearse a scene from the Williams Middle School Drama Club's recent production of "Alice in Wonderland."
"I now have a closet full of costumes and other materials that I've purchased over the years thanks to LEEF," Lawson said. "Things I can use over and over again. Since LEEF has given us the money, I can buy what I need and don't have to scour tag sales or beg. This would not be an on-going club without LEEF's support."
The Drama Club stages one play a year. They begin working on it in the fall and present it to family and friends in two performances in April.
One of Lawson's on-going challenges, she said, is to find plays with lots of roles, since so many students get involved. This year's play, "Alice in Wonderland," had roles for more than 30 middle schoolers.
"Every year, about 10 percent of the student body participates," Lawson said. "Theater is the best thing for kids. It builds relationships and a sense of camaraderie. Parents have told me it was the best experience their children had in middle school."
Some alumni even come back to help out. This year, one former student prepared the play's programs in his high school graphics arts class.
Three eighth-graders who have participated since starting middle school are Katie Novak, Kenny White and Jacob Hebert.
Clik here to view.
Isabelle Cummings as the White Rabbit in the Williams Middle School Drama Club's recent production of "Alice in Wonderland."
Hebert and Novak are co-stage managers. "It's really nice to do this," Novak said. "Everyone is friendly and it's fun to put on a play and show everyone in the school what you can do."
As stage managers, the two are in charge of props and help Lawson direct the play and oversee everything. "It's fun to be a part of it," Hebert said. "It's one of the best middle school experiences."
White, who does the lighting and other technical aspects of the production, said he likes being backstage. "I thought it would be a fun experience to get involved with the backstage stuff. Plus the kids are fun to be with," he said.
"I never do musicals," Lawson explained. "There are plenty of other opportunities at Williams for musical experiences." She feels the Drama Club should be for students who want to act or work backstage.
Once the rehearsals are over and the performances begin, you'll find Lawson in the audience enjoying the experience with the other theater goers, as the students - actors, lighting and sound experts, and stage managers - run the show.