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player ready...It’s that time again — local high school theater students are taking to the stage to showcase their talents as they present their fall theater productions.
Munster High School has chosen the ensemble play “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” as their offering this year.
Former Lake Central High School theater director Ray Palasz will direct in his inaugural role at Munster.
“I chose this play because it is a great way for me to work with students individually and get to know them,” he said. “Since this is my first show at Munster, I wanted something that would allow me to understand who they are and let them know the kind of director I am.”
The show, based on Robert Fulgham’s essays, is a vignette-based play, with each scene dealing with significant moments in people’s lives — from youth to old age. The production also features several musical pieces written for the script.
This production features more than 40 actors, designers and technicians, who tell stories of life that stem from what we learn in the earliest days of our education.
Junior Kalie Miles is one of the ensemble members.
“This play specifically is really cool because it teaches life lessons all throughout,” the 16-year-old said. “The hardest part of performing is thinking on your feet. If something goes wrong on stage, you can’t let the audience know.”
Taylor Fishman, 16, also will appear with the ensemble, as well as handling hair and makeup duties.
“I feel like the play really relates to people,” the Munster junior said. “Not only is it sad and heavy at times, but it is also a good laugh.”
Senior Kaitlyn McHale, 17, will also add her talent to the ensemble group.
“I am in one of the more difficult scenes, ‘Uh Oh,’ where the timing of the dialogue needs to be perfect,” she said. “In order to perfect the scene, all of the actors need to be completely in sync with one another.”
Palasz believes his students are learning ways to work through the pressures of putting together a show that is really about older people recalling key moments in their lives.
“There are scenes that hit right at the emotional heart of a person, and that is not easy to do onstage,” he said. “The most rewarding part is seeing the actors grow. I can tell some of them have not had as challenging of roles before. As with any new job, there is the stress of ‘getting it right.’ But I love watching the kids develop as they meet each challenge. And since it’s my first show here, I feel like I am also growing as well.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 6-8; 2 p.m. Oct. 9
Where: Munster High School Auditorium, 8808 Columbia Ave., Munster
Tickets: $8 for adults; $5 for students, seniors and children 12 and younger; free for School Town of Munster employees, active military and their families
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