Lights, Camera.. ACTION! Inside Falling Creek Middle School’s Drama Club

At Falling Creek Middle School, the drama club is where students to gain confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging. 

Restarted in 2023 by Conner Evans and Kate Hundley, the club and has been thriving for the past three years.

Initially, Hundley asked Evans to help out with the club as an assistant director before becoming sole director of the club.

“I was at the rehearsals but wasn’t necessarily in charge until Kate got a new job with the county last year and so we needed someone to step up and take her role,” said Evans.

Evans stated he did not have any background in theater before coming to Falling Creek Middle School.

“I was on the improv team in college, so that is the closest I ever got to doing anything like this as an actor,” said Evans.

Evans also expressed how drama club is important for middle school students academically and socially.

“It’s great for student’s literacy skills and memorization, especially academically. Socially, the kids support and help one another although there can be ups and downs. But when it's time to perform, they always come together,” said Evans. 

The drama club can be a great place for students to find their circle of friends and gain confidence.

Evans states, “The cool thing about this being the third year is that we have kids who have been here since sixth grade and now they are eighth graders.” 

“Before kids were quiet, barely had lines and now we have lead characters so you see such a big change,” said Evans.

The audience plays a significant role in helping students grow and succeed in the drama club. 

“I think it does a lot for them to see an audience react to them. At rehearsal, you can only stimulate so much but I think when they hear an audience laugh. It just shows you how wonderful they are,” said Evans.

In May, the drama club will be performing a play called The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet”; a comic slapstick version of Romeo and Juliet.

“Their play is going to have a bunch of Dr. Seuss references. We tend to try to do some kind of twist on a classic because I think that helps bring familiarity to the students and audience,” said Evans.

Evans chose to do this play because he thought it would be very humorous and would help the kids memorize their lines better.

The drama club has been preparing for the show since January but had to do auditions in February due to the snowstorm.

“We’ve held auditions but as a director, I have been planning for this play since summer,” said Evans.

The club also had many challenges while trying to prepare for this upcoming play in May.

“The biggest challenges are the non-acting aspects like coordinating lights and sounds, and also finishing the sets. Those were the most challenging and stressful parts for me,” said Evans.

Despite all the challenges and stress, the FCMS drama club has been a welcoming and fun place for students.

“I just like the energy in the room at rehearsals, as a teacher who’s been teaching all day, I have to run straight to the theater room. It can be a lot but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Evans.

The FCMS drama club is a great way for students to express themselves and be surrounded by people who have so much energy and creativity. It’s also a great way for students who have different interests to come together on this one thing they have in common with each other.