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Crater actors need a stage Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Young actors at Crater High School improvise a sketch called "Death By Bra" during an acting exercise Tuesday. Drama students hope to find a stage on which to present a play planned for May. The current student center is being torn down. Students are, on floor from left, Melissa Prechtl, Christine Clark, Heidi Koopmans and Alicia Michaelis. Falling is Melissa Shefcheck. By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT - Crater High thespians have a play to perform. They just need a place in which to perform it. Normally, the high school student center would be the venue, but it will be torn down in February to make room for an auditorium. The new facility, part of a $30 million bond construction effort, won't be ready until 2003, long after seniors and juniors have graduated. Since the high school hadn't planned on a play this year, students and parents decided to mount their own independent production. On Tuesday, 63 budding actors showed up for an audition in the old student center to prepare for the play without a place. During a rambunctious improvisation session, junior Jared Doshier said, "My days at school are really better when there's a play." Last school year, 50 students showed up to audition for two plays. With such enthusiasm on the part of this year's students, supporters of the production now want to capture the conscience of the community. "We're hoping that with an awareness of our situation, somebody will say, 'I've got the perfect place,'" said Vicki Graham-Stelle. Her daughter Kendra Graham, a junior, and senior Ben Droesch came up with the idea. Graham said, "I was really upset when I found out there wasn't going to be a play. The plays are what I enjoy the most about the high school." Droesch said he was upset at the prospect of no play. "It means a lot to me since this is my senior year." Droesch and Graham circulated a petition on campus, signed by 150 students who supported having a production. Droesch's girlfriend, high school alumnus Nicole Henney, 20, then agreed to help organize the production. "In the past Crater put on wonderful plays," said Henney. Even though the new facilities are a welcome addition to the school, Henney said, "It's sad these kids won't be able to use the new auditorium." She did think it possible to handle the large number of students who want to take part in the production. "Hopefully we can use all of them," said Henney. "Even if they're not on stage, there is a lot they can do to help us." Play director Carolyn Clarno said the play, "The Faces of Love," is made up of scenes where people talk about the different aspects of love through singing, dancing and acting. About two hours long, the play is scheduled to be performed from May 16-19. High school principal Karyn Lynch has agreed to provide supplies and has offered space for rehearsing as long as parents are involved and a school staff member is present on campus. "It's nice to see that even though they're having trouble finding a space, they have remained motivated and will continue to go through with the production," said Lynch. Supporters of the play have raised $300 of the $1,200 needed to meet production costs. Call 664-5815 or email: [email protected] for more information about the play without a place. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.