What’s recently happened?
Hanover Central High School has recently hosted three days of performance through the Thespian Society. The performances were dated through November 17, 18, and 19. The main act in question was a murder mystery titled “Oh Horrors: It’s Murder.”
Upon further analysis, it appears the show’s arisal is momentous in some regards. This show was canceled before because of COVID-19. Now, in the post-pandemic era, it has finally been able to be brought to the real stage.
Hinting at the storyline, the performance was centered around a murder in the Hamilton Museum. It was there that a certain Dr. Dirk Carlton was supposedly found dead. The murder mystery truly began as different characters all became suspects of the atrocity. A sense of drama ensued when the show revealed itself as a mix of a musical and comedy.
Notably, two other performances took place. These were student-run productions and directed mainly by senior students. To witness these acts, one had to attend the Sunday showing on November 19. The shows were called “The 9 Worst Breakups of All Time” and “Good Cop Bad Cop.”
Audience participation was a newer mode of artistic presentation; interaction with the audience in a direct way was not done before. While novel, it was well worth it – it was largely enjoyed by the community. Many took the chance to ask serious questions to investigate the culprit of the murder, while some audience members couldn’t resist the tinge of a clever remark.
The cast for the performance had a demanding job themselves. Not only did they have to sing and dance, improvisation was required of them upon the introduction of audience participation.
The crew was vital as well in procuring the amazing sets for the performance. To add to the notion of a museum housing different ghouls, there were huge stands of famous characters when entering for the show. The full list included Wolfman, Zombie, Dracula/Bride, Alien, Frankenstein/Bride, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, Al Capone, Henry VIII, Mummy, Jack the Ripper, Lady Macbeth, and the Guillotine/Electric Chair.
As a whole, congratulations must be sent to all those that made the show a phenomenal run. The entire Thespian Society has been preparing since the second week of October everyday after school for this excellent presentation.
What’s coming up?
Various clubs will be hosting season-based events in Hanover Central. All this is done to highlight the rapid pace at which the holidays are approaching. The December atmosphere of Hanover Central will showcase this more and more.
Take, for example, the Key Club of Hanover Central. The club is planning to hold the Night Out in a Box event. It is here that club members will stay overnight in the school to raise money for donations to those that are most in need, specifically, for the homeless.
This service-based organization remains active in the school community with such activities. Not only will the club be hosting Night Out in a Box, but a Breakfast with Santa event will be held as well. The community may gather for a more authentic celebration of the holiday cheer.
Night Out in a Box is planned for sometime in January; December 2 is the date for the Breakfast with Santa.
Speaking of giving back to the community, the Student Council will also be hosting a blood drive in the school. Such voluntary donations happen in Hanover Central from year to year.
Staff spotlight:
In diving into the splendor of the previously mentioned show, one of the people behind the scenes has to be acknowledged: Stephen Gustas.
Gustas, a Spanish teacher at Hanover Central, has been directing plays for 24 years now. He pursued theatre performance throughout his high school and college years. Passionately, he shares that love of expression with all those who take on a part in making the performances happen. After all, theatre has a certain allure to it.
“You get to be a whole different person,” Gustas said.
It seems that it would be no easy feat to find something quite as freeing as that.
“Theatre is open to everybody, and I always say we’re like the Ellis Island of Hanover Central. We welcome everybody,” Gustas said.
Gustas emphasizes there is an open opportunity for all to find themselves in the theater. Moreover, theatre is not just the performers themselves. Instead, theatre also encompasses those working on the sets. It includes those engaging behind-the-scenes. Likewise, it needs those that help to boost morale.
“Theatre isn’t just what you see on stage,” Gustas said.
Student spotlight:
Elizabeth “Ellie” Carpenter, a current senior, was one of the performers on stage for the mentioned show. She played the character Jane Trice. With a spirit of cautious investigation in her performance, Carpenter remained dutifully in character.
As a president of Thespian Society, Carpenter also played the role of director. She directed a total of five scenes between two acts of student-run performances.
Carpenter herself has been engaged in theatre since she was in grade six.
“The space we’ve created, especially here, is so welcoming,” Carpenter said.
Having been drawn to the artistic realm, Carpenter is also skilled in choreography and enjoys bodily movement through dance. Additionally, she has been in the Advanced Mix Choir for her second year in Hanover Central now; she stands as an expressive vocalist.
Thoughts of the future might seem slightly dooming for a senior, but Carpenter has a plan. She has her sights set on institutions in Indiana or Chicago, specifically, Purdue University or The University of Chicago. With an interest in STEM, she hopes to be a pharmacist. Given her passions though, she desires to pursue theatre on the side.
Her favorite theatre experience thus far in Hanover Central has been that of last year’s musical. She stands with pride when thinking of the show “Bring It On.” Though she did not have the main role, Carpenter enjoyed being the backspot person on stage. She was able to aid in the flow of the production.
“Other people in it make it worth being in it,” Carpenter said.