Changes in the Program
This year, the Amador Valley theatre department has undergone significant changes: new people joining the community, a new play to prepare for, and most notably, a completely new structure for the drama classes.
All performances begin with the Drama Club. The club approves shows, manages the school’s drama budget, and advertises the theatre program across campus. Above all, their main goal is to help introduce students to what theatre has to offer.
“A lot of [incoming freshmen] have either never done drama, or would just like to start doing drama. We always encourage them, saying: ‘If you want to try out for tech or sign up for the class, or just come for support…and be in that space, we would be more than welcome to have you,’” says Noah Brown (‘27), Drama Club Vice-President and Theatre Production student.
Trouble Hits
Still, the most significant change this year is the decision to facilitate the fall play through the drama classes. Now, both the Advanced Drama and Theatre Production classes are separate from the other drama classes. Actors in the Advanced Drama class rehearse the fall play in class, rather than outside of school.
“A big part of the reason that I did that is because so many of our students have so many outside commitments, and I just wanted to make sure that outside commitments were not going to prevent people from being able to do the show the way that it has been in the past,” says Drama teacher and director, Hannah Davies.
There have been some problems in the department in past years, so this change is meant to combat these issues.
“We’ve gone through several staff changes since COVID as well…you’re bound to lose kids in a program where the teacher keeps changing,” says Hannah Davies.
In the end, drama is not just about acting or performing in shows—to many, it’s a space where they can feel comfortable.
“My plans for Drama Club this year is to make a tight-knit community where everyone feels like they know each other, and everyone’s comfortable with each other. As a president, I hope to sort of reach out to the community and feel like a friend rather than a president of a club,” says Emma June (‘27), Drama Club President.
