The drama department will be performing “Our Miss Brooks,” a comedy filled with romance and swing dancing, Thursday, Nov. 3, to Saturday, Nov. 5. It is a two-and-a-half-hour long play that is comprised of three acts and will start at 7 p.m. each night.

Based on an old television series called “Our Miss Brooks,” the plot follows high-school students trying out for a play in the 1960s. The students are hindered by Mrs. Allen and Mr. Wadsworth who try to stop the play from succeeding for various reasons.

“It’s the type of play that our audiences really like: a lighthearted comedy,” director Brian Frishman said.

“It’s a really energy- packed play,” said eighth grader Emma Belliveau, who plays Doris, a rather whiny student auditioning for the play.

In the past, the drama department has had a greater number of girls than boys, so
Frishman chose “Our Miss Brooks” because of the large number of female roles.

However, because fewer females signed up than expected, Frishman decided to bring up some eighth-grade students to fill the parts.

“I’m excited about the experience of being in a high-school play with new and different people,” said Belliveau.

Junior Jianna Gudebski will plays Miss Brooks, a funny and relaxed English teacher.

“I like how I play an older part,” Gudebski said. “I get to act more mature, which is different for me.”

Frishman has added some parts to the original play. For instance, the original script doesn’t have a basketball team, but Frishman’s version does.

In addition to the play rehearsals, students attend swing-dancing classes. Frishman incorporated swing dancing in the second act to add fun to the performance and a '60s feel.

Swing-dancing classes were once a week on Sunday evenings in the MP Room and usually lasted about three hours. They were taught by Johnny Ochoa, who teaches at the Sacramento Ballroom and Club 21.

“We all get really into it and have a good time,” Gudebski said. “It’s great because we’re all pretty good dancers.”

Learning how to dance requires a lot of practice.

“You have to do everything over and over again,” Belliveau said. “I’m kind of afraid that I’m going to forget a move and then be off from everyone else (during the play).”

This is not the first time Frishman has added swing dancing to a school plays.

“We did (swing dancing) in my first year here when we did 'Henrietta VIII.' and the students and parents really loved it,” Frishman said.


CAST LIST

Coach: Brandon Nakagaki
Miss Brooks: Jianna Gudebski
Mr. Wadsworth: Cabot Jackman
Ted—Jacob Frankel
Jane—Annie Bell
Mrs. Allen—Elise DeCarli
Rhonda Allen—Blair Wigney
Martin—Patrick Talamantes
Stanley—George Cvetich
Miss Audobon—Eleanor Weber
Miss Finch—Savannah Symister
Sammy—Cooper Jackman
Elsie—Gracie Strumpfer
Elaine—Logan Winfield
Doris—Emma Belliveau
Marge—Aidan Galati
Faith—Sydney Michel
Basketball player—Grant Quattlebaum
Basketball player—Brian Nakagaki
Basketball player—Nick Fesler
Basketball player—Garrett Walters
Basketball player—Ben Hernreid