BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com
It’s one thing to sit in a desk and learn about historical figures, and it’s another thing to bring them to life.
But that’s what 34 junior high and high school students will do on Thursday, Nov. 7 and Friday, Nov. 8 as they perform “Night at the Wax Museum” at Heritage High School at 7 p.m. both nights.
Drama Director Justin Lee said the play “fit the bill” for the students this fall.
“They’re doing a great job at grasping the humor in the show,” Lee said.
“Everyone can read a funny line, but to deliver it, in character, without rushing, and ‘sell it’ to the audience takes practice. Some of our youngest actors (who are in sixth grade) are going to get some great laughs.”
The cast, which has been practicing for the last month, is ready to portray the hysterical characters that romp through the wackiest wax museum while school is out for the summer.
Nine students, who flunked out of history class, are taken to the mysterious Cultully Wax Museum to catch up on all they missed while sitting behind the desk.
Joel Kreeble, played by senior Olaf Schwink, is one of the students who was too busy playing video games to take care of his in-school responsibilities.
But when King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Cleopatra, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Blackbeard and Madame Ching come to life, Kreeble sees that there is more than meets the eye.
Schwink said that through his time performing at the Homer Opera House and at Heritage, he has learned that there is also more than meets the eye with acting.
“Being in front of a crowd can be a really terrifying experience for some, but for me it’s exhilarating,” Schwink said.
Just like the play, Schwink and fellow cast member senior Madisyn Jones, who plays Jolene Fairchild, said that rehearsals have been just as fun as the production will be.
“If we aren’t running lines, there’s always a sense of inclusivity between members. No one is ever left out,” Schwink said.
Jones said that performing within the Heritage School District over the last six years has helped to give her an opportunity to step outside of her comfort zone.
“I always get really nervous right before I go on stage, and once that light comes on, I’m relaxed and I’m not myself, I’m my character,” she said.
Jolene Fairchild is a twin to Julene, and part of the Museum’s Historical Society.
Like Schwink, who connects with his character through the love of video games, Jones connects with Fairchild’s love of history.
“She loves history and she is a very sarcastic old lady,” Jones said. “History has always been my favorite subject in school, so I can relate to her. As for her sarcasm, well maybe I can relate to that as well.”
Carrying a full load of studies, Jones said that adding practice into her evening schedules can be exhausting, but she learned confidence and determination as she navigates her responsibilities.
“Coming to practice every day can be exhausting sometimes especially when I mess up a line or have an off day, but that night I always make sure to go back over that line or section and focus on my voice, what gestures am I making, what can my audience tell through my voice and reaction,” she said. “I’ve always been determined to give my character justice and look confident while doing it.”
She said her fellow cast members are always there for a pick-me-up, too.
“(They) are the funniest people you could ever meet. Whenever I’m stressed or I’m having a bad day, they always create this joyful environment to cheer me up,” she said.
Both Jones and Schwink believe that “Night at the Museum” is just what the Heritage community should see this weekend for a few laughs.
Schwink said that the audience does not have to know everything about history to get what is happening in “Night at the Wax Museum.”
“Sometimes it doesn’t make total sense if you aren’t familiar with the history, but the jokes are funny regardless,” he said.
