Laughter filled the audience in chapel as the well-known Bible character’s were portrayed in original scripts on Oct. 4. While characters sang and danced to Cat Stevens’ “Remember the Days of the Old Schoolyard”, others portrayed ancient Israelites in a skit called ‘The Wall’.

These students portrayed Israelites that challenge the city of Jericho in ancient. They transformed an old Bible classic into a humorous drama with an ethical message. Tom McEntee, head of the drama department, wrote the play but the actors added much of the play’s humorous highlights. The drama was thought to be one of the best put on by the student body in years.

“I thought it was the best skit I have ever seen by the drama class at our school,” Nick Jones, ’02, said. “The best part was when the guys were reenacting a scene from Star Wars and when Aaron pretended that he got his hand cut off.”

The campus’s drama team will also be performing at the homecoming game on Nov. 2 and during many of chapels throughout the year. They will also perform for many churches during the Christmas season. Many of the students are excited to see more interaction from the drama department.

“It’s going to be exciting to perform at the homecoming game,” Brandy McCann, ’04, said. “It will be a great way to pump up the crowd and to promote people to be excited about the upcoming dramas.”

?The Television Police’, will be staring Brandy McCann, ’04, Daisy Howell, ’03, and Emily Boyko, ’05. According to McEntee, students will not only study dramas but also learn valuable lessons for life will in the class.

“Our class is reading a book called Roaring Lambs,” McEntee, said. “The book is about making it to Hollywood, and when you get there to being strong in you walk with the Lord. One of the goals for the drama team this year is learning how to become stronger in our walk with the lord. The lesson will include interacting with today’s non-Christian views in the entertainment world.”

Other than reading books, the class will expand their ability of improvisation and ability to speak in front of groups.

“I love being in drama class, its really different than any other class I have ever been in,” Bryan Casey, ’03, said. “You don’t just sit there and read or write essays but you get to act and interact with the people in the class.”

Many in school drama classes around the Valley try to establish a comfort level within the class before working on plays.

“Our students do many group games during class,” Brent Moser, Buchanan High’s drama teacher, said. “We do many trust games, and improvisation activity’s. I want my students to have fun and be excited about drama.”

Buchanan’s next play will be ‘A Childs Christmas in Wales,’ on Dec. 19-22 in the Met building on Buchanan campus.

Other valley drama departments are also gearing up for the year.

“I expect my students to comprehend the technique of drama and to have fun,” Allison Fugman, head of drama department at Sunnyside High, said. Although the students work very hard, they seem not to mind the work because their love for drama.

” I was really involved with drama last year,” Anushka Mahal, ’03, Sunnyside High, said. “Our school puts on great plays and everybody enjoys putting a lot of their time into them because when you put on the play it really becomes rewarding. I am in the drama club at my school and it’s a great way to be involved with drama besides the class.”

“Drama helps students use their creativity in a positive way,” McEntee, said. “Some students take their energy and use it for violence. Drama is also a good way to learn how to be in front of a big crowd.” Overall drama plays a key role in the character building of themselves and their audience.