The Wilsonville theater department kicked off the school year with a bang, starting with the fall musical Elf. Shortly after, several plays followed, including the winter play The Tempest and smaller plays performed by the acting classes.
Now, they’re wrapping up the year with the spring production of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility. As closing night on Friday, May 17, approaches, it’s bittersweet knowing that many seniors, like Max Werner, won’t be able to participate in future productions.
Werner, an active participant in Wilsonville Theater and Drama Club, played Sir John in Sense & Sensibility. He explains, “Sir John is very fun, spunky, and very flamboyant. He loves to be in everyone’s business.”
This is, unfortunately, the last play he will participate in at the High School level, but he feels as though it is the perfect way to finish his senior year. “I felt like I had a really fun, easy role, which created a light and fun environment. Although I’m going to miss it, I’m doing theater after school, and I feel ready to move up in the league.”
Alongside Werner, Junior Skyler Hopper talks about his thoughts on the significance of Sense & Sensibility. Taking on the role of John Dashwood, he embraced the challenge of portraying a complex character with an antagonistic nature.
As he transitions into his senior year, Hopper anticipates the selection of next season’s productions. “There is always a lot of suspense around what shows are going to be picked out. There is a poster currently set up with various plays. We take one off every day until the last day, which will show which play we are going to do next year.”
He later mentions possibly participating in college, detailing, “As a senior, I’m looking forward to theater because not only will I have been doing it for a while to where I can hopefully say I’m more confident, but also because I’m closer and closer to college theater because I’d love to pursue it.”
As the final curtain draws to a close and the graduation date nears, a mix of emotions runs high. However, there is an overwhelming sense of excitement for what college theater can offer and what theater will look like at Wilsonville in the upcoming year.