Category Archives: A&E

A&E

Theatre seniors rise to inspirational finale

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By Megan Johnson

Senior year. The finale of a teen’s high school career. Some feel it is the last time they will ever been seen as a teenager and the first time they will be seen as an adult. However, for some teens involved in theatre, their “finale” is very literal.

Theatre seniors experienced such a finale last weekend in “Pride and Prejudice.” Within this show, some of the seniors had major roles. Other cast members like sophomore Ashley Denny said seniors displayed leadership in playing their roles.

“They’re very helpful, dedicated and hard working actors,” she said.

Denny said that senior Savannah Wormley taught her how to work hard during performances, but also enjoy herself.

Wormley shared that theatre has not always been her main priority. However, over the years it has become a major part of her life.

“Theatre is what got me to come out of my shell. I’m not exactly shy, but theatre really takes away inhibitions, you become very outgoing,” said Wormley.

Sophomore Henry Miller said his inspiration comes from not only one actor, but two: seniors Clay Gulley and Collin Jackson.

“They have taught me that theater is tough because you have a lot of competition, but a lot of people want you to succeed,” said Miller.

Jackson explained that theatre has always been a part of his life.

“I feel like it’s just a part of me. I don’t experience what I feel on stage anywhere else. I just can’t not do it,” he said.

Miller shared that he sees both of these actors as very talented and wishes to succeed as they have.

Theatre director Robbie Steiner said Gulley stood out amongst his peers as a true leader.

“He’s the thespian president and a great example of somebody who works very hard. He’s humble, he cares for his peers and makes effort to be a good role model,” said Steiner.

Steiner shared that Gulley has matured since his freshman year and has become a hard-working, poised young man.

Gulley shared that this maturity has mainly blossomed within the past year.

“The fact that I’m almost 18 and about to graduate has really given me perspective on things. To accept that you’re growing up requires some maturity, and I think some of that maturity has transcended into my performances,” said Gulley.

With all four years of experience and growth in theatre, Gulley leaves with high hopes for the up and coming leaders.

“I believe that anyone who is true to their passions, is hardworking and above all, truly respectful of others has the potential to truly be a wonderful leader. Theatre is a fire within the performer and only he can keep it ablaze.”

Additional reporting by Melanie Parrish.

A&E, Columns, Isaac Mathewson

Critic gains influence from much overlooked web series

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By Isaac Mathewson

I have sought a career in Hollywood as a screenwriter and director since childhood. However, seeing that I cannot go there for several more years until I finish college, I mostly stick to writing movie reviews or film related topics. I also spend time reading and watching reviews from other critics as a means of teaching myself how to write a good movie and to avoid previous mistakes of others. One of my favorite film critics is Doug Walker, creator and star of the hit web series The Nostalgia Critic.

The show is a comedy/review series about an angry film critic who reviews movies and T.V. shows from his childhood, the 1980s and 90s, and sulks over the ones whom he feels had not held up well. He often goes into great detail about problems he has with the movies and shows that he reviews and he sometimes goes into over-the-top tantrums whenever one of them proves to be too horrendous. Apart from reviews, he also has Top 11’s (because he likes to go one step beyond) on film and T.V. related topics and he also does “Old vs. New” in which he compares a “nostalgic classic” with a remake (i.e. The Ten Commandments vs. The Prince of Egypt). In almost every episode, he opens with his catchphrase: “Hello, I’m the Nostalgia Critic. I remember it so you don’t have to.”

The Nostalgia Critic is a satire and parody series. Apart from obvious parodies of other movies, there are many episodes which shows the Critic getting into bizarre situations that have something to do with the movie he is currently watching/reviewing. These situations include battles with famous film characters and even Hollywood’s “attempts” on world domination.

Walker’s philosophy of the show is that everyone needs a nostalgia critic, because we all are in some way. We all have seen movies and shows from our childhood that we either were excited about seeing and were disappointed by, or that we have liked as kids, but looking back, we wonder what we even saw in them. This philosophy is how he got his name.

Walker has reviewed many movies and shows and while not all of his reviews are negative, he always points out what upsets him the most and sometimes he goes on huge rants about the elements that are just too ridiculous to accept. Some of his most famous reviews are: Garbage Pail Kids, Batman and Robin, The Room, and Moulin Rouge. He is famous for his detailed descriptions, as well as bringing up points that haven’t been brought up before. Most importantly, he has come up with some of the most famous inside jokes on the Internet, among the most notable “Bat Credit Card” from his Batman and Robin review and “Bunny Boobies” from his Space Jam review.

The show has been on the web for about seven years, although at one point it was cancelled by Walker, but brought back. He posts a new video almost every week, which is quite impressive considering the short amount of time he comes up with these ideas. It can be found on YouTube, as well as on his website: That Guy with the Glasses. On the website, there are also other shows, hosted by his friends and partners, that deal with similar topics, including Nostalgia Chick, Cinema Snob, and Bum Reviews. While I enjoy most of them, I still believe that the Nostalgia Critic is the best. He has many fans inside the entertainment industry such as Christopher Lloyd, the creators of Animaniacs and Gargoyles, the late Roger Ebert, who called his tribute to Siskel and Ebert video the funniest review of the show he had ever seen, and former child actress Mara Wilson, who has made several guest appearances on his show and its sister shows.

While I do not agree with everything he says, I still believe that he writes great reviews that are both funny and informative. It is not a show for everyone, as some may be aggravated from his foul language and his tendency to raise his voice and get angry. However, if you were a kid who grew up during his time period who watched these shows and movies, or if you are a film buff and/or intend to go into the entertainment industry, this is a show that I highly recommend you to watch. It is simply one of the best web series in history.

A&E, Isaac Mathewson

This weekend’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ ends theatre year

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By Isaac Mathewson

FC theatre director Robbie Steiner’s second year has reached its conclusion. To end the year right, he has brought the school an adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice.

Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a young middle class woman who falls in love with Mr. Darcy, a handsome rich man who does not return her love because she is of a lower class. Both of them must overcome their pride and prejudice if they are to finally express their love for each other.

Junior Alyson Jones, who plays Elizabeth, is very excited to be a part of this show.

“I know that there is going to be at least one beautiful performance, a few mistakes, and many tears will be shed.”

Jones has spent the past few months preparing for her role. She says that her greatest strength is facial expression and her greatest weakness is memorization. She likes to spend Monday rehearsals studying her role and getting into her character, which she describes as spunky and opinionated.

Senior Collin Jackson, who plays Mr. Darcy, is also excited to be a part of this production, which will be his final performance here at FC.

“It’s a great learning experience. It greatly contrasts from my role in The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Jackson says that this role really allows him to focus on his acting and improve on his strength of feeling emotion and his weakness for displaying that emotion.

Behind the scenes, there is a crew of only four techs:  senior John McGehee as stage manager, junior Madeline Kemp as lighting designer, freshman Jerran Kowalski on lighting board and sophomore Sam Simms on sound board.

Kemp’s job is to give lighting queues to Kowalski. It is her first job in this position.

“Lighting is what moves the show in the right direction; it is great to have this new position.”

Although the tech crew is small, all of them act professionally and they believe that the show will be good.

Pride and Prejudice will premiere on April 25, 26, and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26 and 27 at 2 p.m.  

A&E

Freshmen reflect on first year of high school orchestra

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By Melanie Parrish

As the audience stills, freshman Grace Reising places her bow to the strings of her violin, preparing for the final piece of the orchestra’s spring concert. The spring concert earlier this week was the last concert of the year for the orchestra and marks the end of the first year of high school performances for freshman string players.

This milestone provides an opportunity for many freshmen to reflect back on this year and to compare to years of musical experience at Highland Hills.

“People are more committed. The music’s harder, but it’s more enjoyable because it’s more challenging,” said Reising. At the same time, pieces are often mastered more quickly at the high school level, despite the more difficult music.

“The music’s a lot quicker to learn, because there’s less distractions,” explained freshman Lauren Titus. However, this may also lead to more stress on a musician’s part at times.

“Teachers give us more respect — they treat us like adults,” said freshman Anna Rogers. “It’s a disadvantage [sometimes], because they expect a lot more of you in high school.”

The transition from middle to high school has its highlights though, according to Reising.

“It’s more organized, and we get more independence. The high schoolers seem a lot less terrifying now.”

A&E

Spring orchestra concert marks the last performance at FC for senior strings

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By Garland Noel

As orchestra director Doug Elmore raises his baton, the orchestra puts bow to string, waiting to start in on the first piece at last night’s spring concert.

“Those run throughs were some of the best we’ve had on those pieces,” said sophomore violinist Ben Carpenter.

Last night the auditorium played host to the last orchestra concert of the year. Featuring Pharrel Williams’ “Happy” and an arrangement of Bruno Mars’ Superbowl halftime show by senior Garrett Jones, the concert was not only the last orchestra concert of the year but was also the last performance at FC for many seniors.

“It’s so hard to be not cliche, “said senior trombonist Craig Bossely. “I’m absolutely positive that the second and third trombones, Zach (Rich) and Chris (Harbeson) will step up and I’m really confident that they’ll do fine.”

While some orchestra members are graduating, sophomore violinist Nathan Destefanis said he knows how the seniors feel, as he is also leaving the program. With so much change, some, like Carpenter, are worried about losing “a lot of amazing talent.” Most, however, echo Destefanis’ parting sentiment.

He said, “It’s a good concert to end on.”