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		Sentinel Staff Photo by Carol Dreiling Using humor, song and dance, MHS theater students send audience members lessons about the human assault on the environment. While on an afternoon outing, a young mother shows her bag of disposable items -- paper cups, diapers and paper plates -- to "a tree" who informs her that they are not recyclable.
	MHS theater talks and sings 'Trash' Sentinel Staff Photo by Carol Dreiling Using humor, song and dance, MHS theater students send audience members lessons about the human assault on the environment. While on an afternoon outing, a young mother shows her bag of disposable items -- paper cups, diapers and paper plates -- to "a tree" who informs her that they are not recyclable. By CAROL DREILING, Sentinel Staff Writer Against a unique stage setting, a garbage dump, and with costumes and props made only from items a person would normally discard, 14 performers use scenes of singing, dancing and acting to alert an audience about environmental dangers in the musical, "Trash: the Earth Day Musical." "It's great to be doing theater as it was originally intended -- as a teaching medium," Cindy Marion, director, said. According to the director, this original musical has allowed McPherson High School drama students to unleash their creativity. The special effects used, with the exception of some voice distortion and lighting enhanced by a disco ball, were created with household items and trash. "Students have found they can do amazing things with tin foil and Styrofoam," Marion said. High-energy dances and songs ranging from salsa to pop to calypso enhance the skits that help a character, Rachel, understand that the environment is threatened by the actions of all people. The musical was written by Marion and her husband Michael Marion, pastor of the First United Methodist Church. Its first edition was written approximately 10 years ago and, over the years, has evolved into its present form. "I wanted to do more of a children-oriented show," Marion said. "And with the rising gas prices now, people have to start being more conscientious." Matinee performances of the musical, whose running time is approximately one hour 10 minutes, are set for 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Thursday. For those performances, the district's fourth-graders will be bused to the high school. Senior citizens also are invited to be part of those audiences. The musical will also be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Marion's drama students have created a special packet for the elementary students who will attend the show.In the packet is a study guide that outlines the storyline, explains the art form of the musical, briefly describes the world's worst disasters that are included in the lyrics of one of the songs and provides a list of possible class activities. A tape of the songs from the musical and a set of puzzles, coloring sheets and worksheets complete the packet. This musical, along with "Scrooge" that was performed in the fall, will be considered for Jester Awards to be presented in Wichita early this summer. Cast members include: James Andrewson, C.J. Bruner, Ethan Caldwell, Marsha Craft, Carlie Copeland, Alyssa Daines, Mona Hale, Emily Hicks, Stephanie LeBlanc, Jackie Moore, Ben Richter, Derek Skinner and Jenny Unruh. Guest artist and performer is Rachel Prochaska, who also is the technical director and choreographer. Stage manager is Toni Jantz. Orchestra music was recorded by Michael Marion, keyboards; Fredrick Matson, bass and wood block, and Dennis Alexander, percussion. The construction staff includes: Austin Curtright -- lights; Julie Martinez, Natalie Fortune, Andrea Nicoll, Craft and Grace Chin -- costumes; Lindsay Fibranz, Kirstyn Smith and Lexie Peters -- props; Lyle Smith, Andrew Nobert, Mikael Andrewson, Skinner, Curtright, Jantz, Damik Sabatos, Sherman Frisbie and Peters -- set construction; Nobert -- publicity; Frisbie, Craft -- poster designs; and Lisa Boswell -- program cover. Members of the running crew are: Curtright -- lights; Smith -- spotlight; Jenni McConnell, Mikael Andrewson -- ropes; Jessica Nicoll -- smoke machine; and Kirstyn Smith, Peters -- sound.

McPherson Unified School District 418
514 N. Main
McPherson, KS 67460
620-241-9400
It is the policy of McPherson USD 418 not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race,
religion, color, age, or national origin in its educational programs and/or activities, nor in its employment practices.

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