One tough production

In the Silverado High School drama department, it's survival of the determined that gets productions to the stage, and drama teacher Linda Kieper found her cast by instigating a program brought to her by her middle school-age daughter.

Kieper wondered if middle school band students were required to have their parents sign off on home-practice time, why couldn't she do the same with her high school drama students?

So she tried it. During rehearsals of the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein 1945 film musical "State Fair," the once-large 80-member main cast cruised down to a comfortable 60.

"In every musical that I've done, I try to cast as many possible people as I can, and by the time the show gets here, they've weeded themselves out," Kieper said.

For the first time, however, students were required to turn in two hours of weekly practice time, grade progress reports and would receive demerits for low grades, not attending rehearsal, leaving early or coming in late. When 10 demerits were reached, the student was out of the show.

While the discipline was too much for some, it encouraged others to improve their grades and to become responsible for their commitments -- which for "State Fair," was approximately eight to 10 hours per week.

The result is a tighter show, attentive cast and the smoothest musical production ride Kieper has ever experienced.

"I think our culture is teaching kids not to be responsible," Kieper said. "If you look at your work schedule, and you don't come in because you read it wrong, how many times are they going to let that happen?"

Although the students had disdain for the program at the beginning, they appreciated each other as opening night grew closer.

"They think it's going to be this fun musical, but it's time consuming," said sophomore Courtney Broadbent, the understudy for Emily Arden, one of the lead roles.

"You can't have another life," added sophomore Janssen Gates, who plays Violet.

"You find out who the real theater people are halfway through rehearsals," Broadbent said.

The students agree with Kieper; the musical is more cohesive than those of the past.

"I was in a musical last year, and this one is strong," Gates said. "The characters are more complex, the relationships are twisted, and at the end, the message is stronger."

The production centers around the 1946 Iowa State Fair and the Frake family's growing pains including their children's struggles to find what they really want.

"We're growing apart individually, but we're staying together as a family," said sophomore Alyson Martin, who plays daughter Margy Frake.

Eventually, the family finds out the life they want doesn't extend much farther than where they started.

"For most of them, they're finding what they want is what they already have," Gates said.

Silverado's production of "State Fair" will run Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. at the school's theater, 1650 Silver Hawk Ave., near Interstate 215 and Eastern Avenue. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door.

For more information phone 799-5790, Ext. 208.