![IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Junior Zalie Mann performs “I Love to Cry at Weddings,” an ensemble piece from the fall musical Sweet Charity, to prospective students during the Fine Arts Showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The showcase is a compilation of performances and demonstrations from each fine arts strand offered at McCallum. This show is put on so that prospective students can see if they are interested in joining an academy or major.
Sweet Charity originally ran the weekends of Sept. 28 and Oct. 8, but made a comeback for the Fine Arts Showcase.
“[Being at the front in the spotlight] is my favorite part of the whole dance, so I was super happy to be on stage performing and smiling at the audience,” Mann said.
Mann performed in both the musical theatre performance and dance excerpt “Ethereal,” a contemporary piece choreographed by the new dance director Terrance Carson, in the showcase. With also being a dance ambassador, Mann got to talk about what MAC dance is, her experience and answer any questions the aspiring arts majors and their parents may have.
Caption by Maya Tackett.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/53321803427_47cd17fe70_o-1-1200x800.jpg)
![SPREADING THE JOY: Sophomore Chim Becker poses with sophomores Cozbi Sims and Lou Davidson while manning a table at the Hispanic Heritage treat day during lunch of Sept 28. Becker is a part of the students of color alliance, who put together the activity to raise money for their club.
“It [the stand] was really fun because McCallum has a lot of latino kids,” Becker said. “And I think it was nice that I could share the stuff that I usually just have at home with people who have never tried it before.”
Becker recognizes the importance of celebrating Hispanic heritage at Mac.
“I think its important to celebrate,” Becker said. “Because our culture is awesome and super cool, and everybody should be able to learn about other cultures of the world.”
Caption by JoJo Barnard.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/53221601352_4127a81c41_o-1200x675.jpg)
Drama Debrief: The excitement and glitches of tackling a virtual fall play
Mackenzie Berry
December 11, 2020
Linganore Drama needed no help desk in their fall production of Help Desk, a play in 13 short virtual vignettes. The creative team for the show gathered to discuss the joys and challenges of experiencing what is an already challenging, yet fulfilling process.
“Help Desk” written by Don Zolidis (@donzolidis) was presented November 20, and 21. Hundreds of Lancer community members and their families tuned in from the comfort of their own homes to watch the hilarious, and familiar scenarios presented by Linganore acting veterans, and newcomers. The play centered around everyone’s worst nightmare, the unhelpful help of a call to the help desk.
Co-Director Angela Smithhisler described the processes the creative team went through in choosing a show for this unique semester and its students. Student director Ricky Guariglia chimed in with what he believes to be challenging about acting, “in a box.”
Stage Manager Kevin Aquino described technical theatre duties through a screen such as costume assembly and organization of a rehearsal schedule. All creative team members contributed to this production in unique and individual ways, while simultaneously collaborating minds in making this show a possibility.
Many theatrical groups in the area have attempted to bring theatre back to the world in similar ways, such as radio plays or prerecorded small groups. The creative team reflected on their personal experiences and offer advice to those who are seeking a similar product. There is discussion of the struggles of WiFi, prerecorded takes, and, of course, your usual acting bloopers.
While many shows in the past have been incredibly challenging to put together, this semester has perhaps been the most challenging. Despite all bumps in the road, the production was a highlight of the fall semester in the Lancer community. The Linganore Drama Department thanks the creative team for all of their tireless efforts to make the fall play a possibility, especially in such an unpredictable world.
Read more about the production of Help Desk.
This story was originally published on The Lance on December 8, 2020.
