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Fifth-graders take dramatic step, audition for play
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Evan Shobel, a fifth-grader and member of the Frank Ohl Intermediate School Drama Club, reads a part during auditions for “A Christmas Carol,” the school’s first play, based on Charles Dickens’ famous story.
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Kayla Sahli reads a part during her audition. She is one of more than 90 Frank Ohl fifth-graders participating in the new drama club this year.
AUSTINTOWN
Unease filled Frank Ohl Intermediate’s gym as nervous fifth-graders auditioned for speaking parts in “A Christmas Carol,” the school’s first play.
“Oh spirits, you have saved me,” Sabrina Bliss, 11, read from the script. “I have time, time to make amends, time to be good and kind to my fellow man.”
Sabrina is one of more than 90 Frank Ohl fifth-graders participating in the new drama club this year. Teachers Jeff Swavel and Shelly Culp decided to start the club last year during some drama exercises they did in their language-arts classes.
“Some of the lower-performance students just came alive,” Swavel said.
Culp noticed the same.
“What’s so fun about this is it makes literacy fun for kids,” she said, adding that acting out a play can be a good alternative for students who don’t enjoy sitting down and reading a book.
“It’s kind of like teaching reading through the back door,” Culp said.
The club is free to join, and Principal Dennis Rice used the principal’s fund to pay royalties for the script by Kathryn Schultz Miller. Swavel said the group will rely on student and teacher donations when it comes to costumes and props. He said they may have a fundraiser for their spring play.
The group meets each Tuesday for 45 minutes after school. Culp and Swavel had expected a few dozen students to join and were thrilled to see 90 the first day.
Justin Neff, 10, said he joined because the group sounded fun. He doesn’t mind having to stay after school for practice.
“I always liked acting,” Justin said.
On Tuesday, students were divided into smaller groups for auditions. Parts will be announced Thursday, and the play will be performed in December.
“Don’t be afraid to act the part,” Swavel reminded students auditioning Tuesday.
Veronica Kist, 10, said she was excited to join the club and try out for an acting part in the play. She said the first opportunity for drama club doesn’t come until seventh grade at Austintown Middle School.
“I’m happy we don’t have to wait until AMS,” Veronica said.
Swavel said the fifth-graders are just as ready and able to act as the middle-school students and that starting this club was sort of a reward for them.
“They kind of feel like they’re the top dogs,” Swavel said.
Veronica said she learned a lot when Culp and Swavel acted out a play for students during their first practice.
“We have to have expression. You have to act with hand motions. You have to be your character,” Veronica said. “And you don’t have to wear lots of makeup because you’re pretty the way you are.”
Auditions went without a hitch Tuesday, except for a few nerves. Culp said one student in her audition group cried before having to read for a speaking part. With encouragement from her peers, she was able to finish the audition.
“That’s what it’s about — taking risks, doing things you’re afraid to do,” Culp said.