As Newsies cast rehearsals focused in on closer, more detailed staging last week, we took this opportunity to take a step back for a look at the bigger picture. [1]
In this case, Steve Laatch is more than our Saline Area Schools Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. He is also a personally invested patron of our high school theater program, making time to attend SHS Drama Club performances as they open. [2-4]
Following are his answers to questions posed by Saline Journal, covering the program in general, what it means to those who participate — long after they graduate — and Newsies: The Musical, which opens at the Ellen A Ewing Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 28, 2020.
Saline Journal: “If Pure Michigan gave you thirty seconds in a tourism video to make the case for the high school theatre program in Saline, what would be your pitch?” [5]
Steve Laatsch: “Where the 4 C’s come to life! A chance for students to bring to life their skills in being creative, collaborative, communicative and critical thinkers. Students in the Saline high school theatre program can reach greater heights on stage!”
Saline Journal: “People tend to think of performances mostly in terms of actors. Beyond these important areas, who are the ‘unsung heroes’ of high school shows that knock your socks off?”
Steve Laatsch: “Well, I am always so impressed with the ability for students to remember their lines, parts with what seems great ease! We all know it is so challenging to get up in front of an audience and make this come to life.
But, I would say the unsung heroes are the student, staff directors and choreographers. If you think about all the components that need to work in unison, it’s really impressive!
Saline Journal: “Newsies director Rebecca Groeb has told Saline Journal that involvement with theater can teach lifelong skills — even for those who don’t persue any aspect of it later in life. Have you seen examples of this in students who you knew ten or fifteen years ago?” [6]
Steve Laatch: “I think a great example is found in ‘Signing the Song.’ In short, one of Norma Freeman’s former students, William Martinez, dedicated his life to finding his voice on stage. And, he did it in Norma’s honor. Norma was a former Saline Area Schools Vocal Music Teacher.” [7]
Saline Journal: “The three most recent SHS Drama Club performances have tackled some very weighty, contemporary social issues — from the value in “being yourself” and unconscious biases, to, now, journalism and labor relations. [8-13]
How can theater uniquely serve society by shining its own light on these areas, if only to start the conversation?
Steve Laatch: “The theatre is a place to help bring important societal issues to center stage. Not only are the performers able to express themselves, but the audience is able to take the time to reflect on what the message really means. The theatre allows us the time to sit back and do just that: Think about tough issues and how they impact society.”
Saline Journal: “Each year, our high school does a drama and a musical. What are the differences in terms of stagecraft, as well as for audiences served by each?”
Steve Laatsch: “These both involve a significant amount of acting.
But, I would say the main difference is how the message is delivered. Dramas require the message to be delivered by way of a story telling aspect, while musicals deliver the message by way of song. Both require unique skills sets of both the performers and the directors.
Saline Journal: “How does ‘dinner theater’ add value to musicals?
Steve Laatsch: “Dinner theatre allows for the arts to really be showcased as a culminating experience. If you ever watch Chef Musto and his students prepare a dinner, you know it’s a work of art. So, it is great to bring together culinary and performing arts in the same evening.” [14,15]
Saline Journal: “What sort of ‘they make it look easy’ things are you particularly looking forward to seeing in Newsies, and how so?”
Not having seen the performance, and avoiding rehearsals in order to maximize his experience as a member of the audience when the show opens, Mr Laatsch referred this question to Newsies producer Kristen Glatz.
Kristen Glatz: “High spots in Newsies would be the character development, that it’s very physically demanding, and that the pop-style vocals require a lot of belting (style of singing that’s more modern and pop), and less traditional musical theater. [16]
Also, because it’s a modern show, the scene transitions are very fluid (the lights rarely go out between scenes), so Rebecca has had to work that into her blocking with the students.
It’s a Disney show, but it’s about themes of oppression and community, so it has some more intense elements than some shows, which the kids are enjoying digging into. [17]
Newsies: The Musical is set to play on stage at the Ellen A Ewing Center for the Performing Arts on the following dates and times.
- Friday, February 28, 2020 with curtain at 7:30pm [18]
- Saturday, February 28, 2020 with curtain at 7:30pm [19]
- Sunday, March 1, 2020 with curtain at 2:00pm [20]
As of this publication date, dinner theater tickets are still available.
References
- “Newsies” SHS Drama Club.
- Steve Laatsch (Twitter Feed).
- Saline Area Schools (home page).
- SHS Drama Club (home page).
- Pure Michigan (home page).
- “There is much more to Saline Community Education ‘Junior Theater’ than its stage performances this weekend” Dell Deaton (March 11, 2019) Saline Journal.
- Signing the Song (home page).
- “Almost thirty years ago, Shrek was sent forth from the swamp, on a journey that will now bring him to our high school stage” Dell Deaton (February 7, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “’12 Angry Jurors’ convene to decide one man’s fate in SHS Drama Club stage production November 22, 23, and 24, 2019” Dell Deaton (November 18, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “It only seems like pre-production on ‘Newsies: The Musical’ started two days after the fall Saline High School drama closed” Dell Deaton (November 27, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “Year-end Washtenaw Economic Club lunch presentation connected with community leaders on value of diversity” Dell Deaton (November 8, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “Book review: ‘Unfreedom of the Press’ sets stage for necessary discussion of integrity in journalism, ‘objective’ media” Dell Deaton (August 14, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “‘Everybody Isn’t Cut Out for Trade Work,’ Advises Dr Rose Bellanca, Washtenaw Community College President” Dell Deaton (May 21, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Chef Musto, Saline High School, Earns Certified Executive Chef Designation” (May 30, 2019) Saline Area Schools.
- “Culinary Arts” (November 13, 2017) South & West Washtenaw Consortium (SWWC).
- “How to find your singing belt – belting techniques for singers” Madeleine Harvey (August 14, 2015) YouTube.
- “Newsies (1992)” IMDb.
- “Performance: ‘Newsies: The Musical’” (February 28, 2020) Saline Journal.
- “Performance: ‘Newsies: The Musical’” (February 29, 2020) Saline Journal.
- “Performance: ‘Newsies: The Musical’” (March 1, 2020) Saline Journal.
