Tag Archives: Collin Jackson

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, 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, Isaac Mathewson

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ provides actors new opportunities

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By Isaac Mathewson
As FC Theater’s spring production of The Scarlet Pimpernel fast approaches, theater director Robbie Steiner provides news that may interest and excite theater buffs.
As he has already stated, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic musical that tells the story of Sir Percy who rescues prisoners from the guillotine during the French Revolution and hides his true identity by disguising himself as a foppish playboy. “The Scarlet Pimpernel has beautiful music and has a funny script,” said Steiner.
For this show, the three leads are FC senior Collin Jackson as Percy, by junior Madeline Coffey as his wife Marguerite and senior Clay Gulley as the main antagonist Chauvelin. Steiner believes that they are fit for their parts and are well prepared.
According to Steiner, rehearsals have been going well so far but the many snow days have been taking away a lot of time and have put the actors behind schedule. However, he has stated that everything will be ready by opening night.
Steiner has also stated that the lead roles are going to be different from any of the other roles that the actors have had. There are going to be scenes with sword fighting in which Gulley and Jackson have been trained to do. Steiner has noted that while the swords are props, the actors are still at risk of being injured.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is set to take place on March 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and March 9 and 16 at 2:00 p.m.
A&E, Danielle Rehor

Godspell builds actors, amazes audience

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By Danielle Rehor

I heard there was a pool and a trampoline, as well as a stage built on a stage, and it was a musical, but nothing could have prepared me for the experience Godspell granted me. Opening week many raved about Godspell, saying it was the best play since The Drowsy Chaperone, the play that took the theater department to the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska two years ago. The hype for this play was so large I could not resist. Despite overbooking, and an eighth of the audience members sitting on the floor, it was worth it.

The musical theater class has one specific play purely made up of those students, around 26 in total. This year the play was the 1970’s Broadway hit Godspell. This hippie-fused play is based off of the biblical book of Matthew and includes many parables, such as the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan.These short plays within plays give the play a sense of informality and even include a little audience participation in the form of pictionary and charades.

The first quarter of the play left me in a dazed state as the opening song, “Tower of Babel” included cell phones and business people, as well as Judas with a shofar. At this early point in the play, the biblical time combined with the modern age was very confusing. Additionally senior Missy Cathcart’s song, “Turn Back, O Man” seems to just conflict with itself as to whether she was being scandalous or humorous. However, with the performance of “By My Side,” my faith in musical theater had been restored.

The play successfully managed to act out parables and psalms while still being modern with its use of entertainment and political figures as the warned false prophets stated in the book of Matthew. The artful combination of modern day disciples and prophecy proved theater teacher Robbie Steiner’s directing capabilities and eye for unique works.

Though the upbeat songs and choreography may seem to summarize the play, “By My Side” was the turning point in which Godspell morphed from a confused mess into a cohesive play that I utterly enjoyed. The ballad performed by senior Kathryn Pryor as she sings to Jesus while Judas plots to betray him, is exceedingly haunting and regardless of religious beliefs is poignant.

The revamped pop music of the 70s hit truly fit the play and its aura. The music was exceptional, while still managing to reflect the mood during each aspect of the play. The group numbers and solos show real talent and potential within the theater program, including juniors Collin Jackson, Jade Dailey, Bailey Hussung and senior Cole Thorton. The group performances were more than just scenes in a script but the forming of a family as shown by the tears during the last Sunday performance of “On the Willows,” as Jesus says goodbye to his followers.

To say there was one specific part of Godspell that made it amazing is near impossible; however, what really set this play apart was that performers had the freedom to be themselves. With the exception of junior Collin Jackson as Jesus and junior Clay Gulley as Judas Iscariot and John the Baptist, no one had roles. The actors were able to create a caricatured version of themselves to play on stage. This play, set in current time, portrayed the faults that have haunted humans since Jesus’ age. Every actor gained something from the growth that occurred perfecting his or her imperfections, in a sense. The performance included many raw moments from all actors as they played themselves, without a mask.

Peter Hyle

Junior Collin Jackson discovers his talents

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By Peter Hyle

Coming to a school as large as FC may give some new students a reason to be shy and unsure of themselves. There are so many programs available that it can often be hard finding the right path, but for junior Collin Jackson, he knew exactly where he belonged. Joining the theater program at the start of this school year, Jackson has already found himself a lead role.

Knowing that he wanted to participate in theater, Jackson started the new school year with determination.

“He always comes in prepared, learns music quickly, and when he doesn’t know something very well, he practices extremely hard to get better at it,” said theater teacher Robbie Steiner.

Though he has previously acted in plays, such as The Music Man, Jackson is ecstatic about the role he has obtained in the upcoming show, Godspell.

“For each show, all the actors interested have to audition in front of the directors. In this particular case, the show is a classroom project, so only the students in the musical theater class were allowed to audition,” said Jackson.

For the new show, Jackson is playing the role of Jesus himself.

“The role I play has a fairly large amount of lines. He has to be a leader to the rest of the cast, which is different from how I usually am,” said Jackson.

Though the role has obvious challenges, Jackson recognizes this and concerns himself with doing the best job he can.

“The responsibility involved is finding how to display to the audience that my character is both authoritative and friendly. Basically, I just want to make sure I’m doing my job really well, otherwise the whole point of the show could be missed,” said Jackson.

In the past, Jackson has spent time with a program called iTheatrics, a summer workshop in New York. Giving him the motivation to continue forward with his passion, he looks back on his time there as a helpful reminder.

“It gave me some confidence in what I was doing and brought a lot of reality into theatre for me,” said Jackson.

Aside from the positive outlook added to his theatre career, Jackson credits the program for much more than that.

“The program I was involved with encouraged me to make choices, and to look beyond what lines are directly stating. As a whole, the trip was a boost. It helped me to decide that theatre is what I want to do,” said Jackson.

Looking past what lies in front of him, Jackson is optimistic about his future here at FC.

“Even though I’ve only been here for a short amount of time, I have grown to know so many people and I truly feel accepted,” said Jackson, “I appreciate each individual involved in theatre, and cannot wait to see how the rest of my experience here turns out.”