By Nicholas Ravnikar
Correspondent
Unlike some other high schools whose drama club or theater productions support classes in the dramatic arts, the Drama Club is Westosha Central High School’s main method for teaching stagecraft.
That presents certain challenges, Klimzak said, but he thinks it’s a good way for students to learn theater.
And those students sing the praises of drama club, noting ways the program has helped them.
“The learning process, acting, technique, stagecraft, theater history, has to be incorporated into the rehearsal schedule,” he said.
“Sometimes we are pressed for time and are not able to get to all the things I want to cover which is challenging. However, I do think working on a production is one of the best ways to learn the art of theatre, where the lessons you are teaching are being applied and in a specific way.”
Plays help with real-world skills
While some might think of theater as an artsy undertaking without much practical benefit, Klimzak noted that this big show provides plenty of real-world, hands on experience in project management and decision-making.
That old hat about people fearing public speaking more than death itself? Not so with some of the students in Westosha Central’s drama club.
“I’ve gained a lot of public speaking skills,” said Sheena Derler, who plays Charlie Nickels’ secretary Ida in Kill Me, Deadly. “I’m no longer afraid of presenting anything to a class — a speech, a slide show. And I think that skill is huge. I joined drama and forensics in 7th grade, but before that, it was one of my biggest fears.”
Klimzak noted rewards are greater as an educator.
“One of the most rewarding things for me is watching the students taking risks and putting themselves out there,” Klimzak said. “And not just on stage. Behind the scenes as well.”
Organization, teamwork emphasized
Thirty students are working behind the scenes in one of a variety of crews, who are working on tasks like lighting, sound design, set construction and painting, and promotions.
An assigned student leader and adult advisor leads each crew.
Students from freshman to seniors working on the production team directly with Klimzak as assistant directors and stage managers.
“Putting on a production is learning how to make all the individual pieces work together,” Klimzak said. “And our students do this, of course with advisement, but often they take the lead and soar.”
Three of the students leading up those teams are freshmen stage managers Carina Rook and Kiley Anderson and junior Arielle Zamba.
Zamba, an assistant stage manager, serves with senior Zach Smith, who mainly focuses on technical aspects like lighting and sound.
Early in rehearsals for their upcoming play, Zamba and the others had the task of coordinating a rehearsal that Klimzack could not attend.
“We had a supervisor there who was in charge of costuming,” she said. “But it was all on us. We didn’t know where to start, exactly. At first, people didn’t really listen, because we’re not adults. But we picked up where we left off in the last rehearsal, and we got stuff done.”
Plus, it was a great bonding moment, Rook and Anderson added.
Anderson, who mentioned that her role as assistant director involves taking down the lines and stage directions for each actor, noted that the experience has helped her learn to handle group projects.
“I’ve gained a lot of people skills,” she said. “If you don’t work as a team in a production, nothing will happen.
Zamba added that organizational skills have become more familiar to her.
“As assistant director, you have a lot of notes that pile on top of you,” she said. “You have to keep track of all that.”
More senior success stories
Seniors Natalia Vignieri and Hanna Kunce, who have lead roles in “Kill Me, Deadly,” are headed off to pursue theater education at state colleges.
For Vignieri, drama club has provided a profound means of personal growth.
“Freshman year, I just worked crew,” she said. “I was shy, I didn’t want to come out of my shell. Since then, I’ve become myself. You become a different person as you gain something from each character.”
Vignieri said acting has helped her learn new coping and problem-solving skills.
“Sometimes I feel low, I struggle with that,” she said. “I worry about things. Then, all of a sudden, I get into a character who’s very different. They have new troubles and new problems. Your problems go away, and you learn how your character deals with their problems. And that becomes a part of you.”
Vignieri wasn’t positive about her school selection yet, but said she favors University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
“Theatre and music have changed my life so much,” she said. “Maybe I’ll make a career out of it, or possibly I’ll become a teacher.”
Kunce grew up in a family that supported the arts, and plans to attend UW-Stevens Point, where she will major in musical theater.
Following undergraduate studies, she wants to move to New York where she dreams of a career in theater.
Director to stick around after ‘senior’ year
“Kill Me, Deadly” makes the 10th production at Central under Klimzak’s directorship. He originally started at Central to serve as an assistant drama director. But he quickly took the helm after the previous director, who was splitting her time as choral director, opted to focus on her other responsibilities.
The students who work most closely with them say they appreciate his dedication to the craft and their collaborative projects.
“I had no idea before how much Mr. Klimzak puts into these shows,” said Arielle Zamba. “He choreographs every movement.
Klimzak said he’s thoroughly enjoyed the experience thus far.
“I say it is my senior year since I started with this year’s graduating class,” Klimzak said. “So I’ve got to see them mature under my guidance for the past four years.”