The Cobbler Drama Club has lined up a series of challenges this season, from staging well-known stories to working with big casts.

By Chris Schilling and Dylan Grundstrom

Central High School’s 2018 theatre season differs from past seasons by including a multitude of well-known shows. This season consists of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, After Hours, Atlantis, Newsies, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

With many large shows, some very tough challenges lie ahead for both the dramatic and technical aspects. Joey Lore, the technical director, said, “Each show will have certain technical elements that are different from the other, but all will be sure to surprise the audience.”

Along with the actual set pieces, the size of the cast will be large too. Meaning, this season is a season that is meant to include as many people as possible. Now is the chance to be a part of something you may have always wanted to be a part of.

With the growing size in numbers, there will also be an emotional end for many seniors. “I’m excited for the challenges ahead,” said Lore. “Mostly because students will rise to the occasion, but I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t thinking of the seniors that are graduating.”

This season is also abuzz over plans for the future. With the state one-act this year being the last in a fifteen year series, and being the “A” show, there is rising anticipation for what will be next. “At this time we are uncertain, but we would not tell you even if we did,” said Lore. However, many people are still excited for the state one-act this year, Atlantis. “Plato and his discoveries will be interesting to see play out on stage,” said senior Riley Riggs.

After the student directed and state one-acts, two more shows are going to hit the stage. With Newsies, many students are looking forward to being a part of the experience. “Newsies is literally the reason I do theatre,” said sophomore Hannah Fischer. With all the hype surrounding this show, nearly sixty people will be involved in Newsies, making this a show to remember.

Not only this, but the spring show this year will also be a difficult play to create. One reason for this is a comparison to an earlier show in the past few years. “If you thought Wizard of Oz was big, just wait until you see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” said Justin Speck, creative director and drama department chair. “Every season is a challenge, but many of the creatures from Narnia not being gender specific opens up an entirely new patch of tasks to complete.”