Drama Program Revived at Shivela Middle School

Shivela Middle School will soon present its first theater production in more than a year, thanks to its new drama teacher.

Dana Conrad, who teaches theater, drama and language arts, said she is thrilled to revive the once-thriving program at . She plans to raise the curtains with the production of "The Ransom of Miss Elverna Dower" on Dec. 1 and 3.

It is Conrad's second year at the school. Prior to that, she taught at for 10 years, where she ran an after-school drama club.

"This is my dream come true," Conrad said. "This is what I love to do--integrating the arts through the curriculum."

Conrad took over the Shivela drama program this year, after longtime teacher Christopher Ryan transferred to to launch its drama program. Then his predecessor was out on maternity leave for a large part of last year.

"There were no productions last year," Conrad said.

So at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and then 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 3, the theater class, which consists of 33 seventh- and eighth-graders, is ready to take the stage.

"It's a comedy about middle school kids and how they deal with homework," Conrad said, adding that the students voted on which play they wanted to do.

Auditions, set building, costume designing and rehearsing all take place during class time, she said, so that students can still be involved in other extracurricular activities.

Conrad teaches four periods of drama, one period of language arts and one period of theater. For the drama section, she had a green screen installed behind the stage area. Students have been making short films, such as commercials and news broadcasts.

The films will be revealed in a red carpet affair.

The excitement over the rejuvenated program is catching on around campus, she said.

For the theater section, there was a waiting list of 40 to 50 students. The ones selected for the class had to apply, she said.

Next year, if there is still enough interest, she hopes to add another theater section.

"I'm so excited, I want to see Shivela have this," Conrad said. "I just want the kids to have a fun elective while learning."

Admission to see "The Ransom of Miss Elverna Dower" is $10 for VIP seating (first five rows), $6 for adults and $3 for seniors, military and students. Tickets are on sale before and after school at the Shivela student store, or email dconrad@murrieta.k12.ca.us for more information. Tickets, but possibly not VIP ones, will also be available the day of.

Proceeds from the production will go toward the drama program as well as sending the theater students to see "Wicked" performed Jan. 17 at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles.