Conifer’s Theatre Perseveres

Even in the midst of a global pandemic, Conifer High School’s theatre company is still doing all that it can to keep the arts alive. A variety of programs have begun, taking careful precautions to follow social distancing guidelines and Covid restrictions.

“We are offering, in our theater classes, performance opportunities,” Said drama teacher EP Archer. “We have one cohort who is writing an original play and another cohort who will be performing a one-act Alice in Wonderland play directed by a student. And then in choir we have solo, duet, and small group performing opportunities in an after school club which hopefully will grow into being a full-fledged show as COVID restrictions loosen.”

On top of all the in-school programs, there is also an after school program on Mondays and Tuesdays where students focus on honing their skills for future productions. These programs provide students with the skills they need and a necessary emotional outlet. 

“To me, theater is a place where I don’t have to worry about who I am and my internal struggles,” said Ander Sinnock, a student director for the Conifer Theatre Company. 

 “I can just go on stage, pull up my character, and for a night I’m Grandpa. I’m not Ander Sinnock. I’m the old man, or the other old man, or a cheerleader,” said Sinnock.

Performing is a very rewarding experience for many high school students and gives kids another way to make friends and form connections with new people. 

“I definitely want to meet more people since I don’t know a lot of people,” said Sophomore Samantha Shaver, a member of the Conifer Theatre Company. 

As a new student Shaver is able to meet new people, make friends, and establish connections through shared interests in theatre.

“I’m hoping,” Archer said, “that students get together and feel and express and learn and be able to release some energy that we get built up with not just Covid quarantine but being stuck in a social distancing format.”