A silence sweeps the crowd, leaving the audience in a suspenseful frenzy. The drama class assumes their positions, ready to perform their carefully practiced parts.

The campus drama team is preparing for the rush of performing Romeo and Juliet on March 11.

Late night rehearsals, cram sessions and practicing in front of the mirror are just a few of the factors that go into memorizing a drama for an actor to perform to the best of their ability.

“It can sometimes take a really long time to memorize your lines,” Rachel Jacobsen, ’04, said. “Yet with all the techniques we have been taught it helps to break down the lines and to memorize them with ease.”

In Webster’s dictionary the definition of an actor/actress is one who represents a character in a dramatic production. The students on campus invest long hours to make their scenes believable and to add as much expression and reality as possible.

“I enjoy all the aspects of performing and getting into a character,” Doug DenHartog, ’05, said. “Being able to become someone outside yourself and experiencing life as someone else would is a very cool experience.”

Drama instructor Tom McEntee is focused on teaching his class new techniques to become better actors/actresses. From lighting and expression to working on a new character, the students are taught to be more confident on stage.

“Mr. Mac has taught me that even if you are not a great actor there are alternatives,” Matt Doyle, ’06, said. “You can work with the back round or become an extra.”

This year’s drama class has seen a lot of old members depart, leaving the newcomers to step up and fill the roles that were left for them. With new actors in the scenes, it allows the drama class to portray a whole new shape and gives them a chance to have a new dynamic. This in return gives the performances on stage a whole new flare.

“This year is exciting for the drama class because we have a lot of new actors and actresses,” Mac said. “It is like starting fresh and being able to mold a whole new class.”

The drama classes will be performing Romeo and Juliet, starring Chris White, ’05, and Amanda Dring, ’06, on March 11 in Ground Zero.

For more on the campus drama unit, visit www.fresnochristian.com for performance dates and curriculum.