![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
From the roar of drills mixing with the sound of large set pieces being maneuvered into place, to the smell of paint and sawdust filling the air of the Black Box, it is apparent that a work party is officially underway for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the fall theater production.
The set is built and put together during these work parties, which are held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. in the scene shop. The play is being held in the Black Box, so a large slanted stage now occupies the space.
Work parties are a way for student volunteers to help put together the sets for the plays and musicals.
Colt Christa, senior, went because it was mandatory for her technical theater class. “I didn’t realize it was so much work, but I had a good time,” Christa said.
Tasks that the students are given require little to no experience. This includes drilling, cutting, measuring and painting, and allows them to use tools they wouldn’t normally use in their everyday lives.
“A lot of kids don’t get much opportunity to do woodworking, or use power tools at home, and in many ways, building scenery in the scene shop is the closest thing to a wood shop class here at school,” Jon Ares, technical coordinator for the performing arts building, said.
Students who aren’t necessarily involved in theater can still contribute and get a lot out of the backstage scene, according to Ares. “Students that love computers and technology really get into the lighting and sound equipment we have,” Ares said.
The work parties are located in the scene shop of the theater building throughout the year, and anyone is welcome to check it out. Visit http://blogs.wlhs.wlwv.k12.or.us/Theatre/ for more information.
