Fine Arts Over a Century
The Antioch Community High School fine arts department allowed its students to shine through their talents and self expression throughout the history of the school.
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Senior Alex Fink, alumna Avery Herbon, alumnus Zac Keller and senior Riley Beckett take the stage for ACHS’ 2014 production of “Oklahoma!” The musical is on of many successful productions by ACHS students.
PAST
Self expression and creativity were important aspects of education for countless years. The main contributor to the self expression of students is the fine arts department, which is a large part of Antioch Community High School’s history. The fine arts department was a part of ACHS for almost as long as the school existed. For many years, the department provided students with the opportunity to express themselves on and off the stage.
Throughout ACHS’ past, the program excelled artistically, theatrically and musically. The school put on many performances through the fine arts department, such as band and choir concerts, art showings and theatrical performances, which even included class plays, performed by each grade of students in competition among each other. Specifically, ACHS was and still is known for putting on high quality musicals, such as “Androcles and The Lion,” “Two Crooks and a Lady” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
One of the highlights of ACHS’ production history was the musical “The Music Man” that was performed by fine arts students in 1985.
The story of a river town in Iowa during the 1920s, “The Music Man” tells the tale of a salesman who sells musical instruments to the young children in town.
“’The Music Man’ is about a con artist named Harold Hill. He sells bands to schools and he comes to a town in Iowa to try and make business,” said drama teacher Wanda Teddy. “There is a connection between Harold Hill and the town librarian, so you’ve got this musical con artist as well as a love story.”
The musical revolves around joy, love and humor, and was a huge hit with the community of Antioch as well as the cast and crew of “The Music Man.”
“I consider it to be one of the happiest musicals,” said ACHS’ former drama director Ken Smouse.
PRESENT
The tradition of a reputable fine arts department continues to the present days of ACHS; because of the department, students are at no loss of talent and artistic opportunities. Along with the recent additions of orchestra, digital photography and improvisation classes, the fine arts department will continue to impress the community in the spring of 2015 with a remake production of “The Music Man.”
Teddy said, “I always want to get bigger and better. [The 2014 spring musical] “Oklahoma!” was classical but country, whereas [“The Music Man”] is classical in the period. There are different styles of dance and bigger dance numbers this year as well. I want to expose the cast to a different style and push everyone to do better and bigger things.”
In addition to a new style, different time period and bigger dance numbers, the production will feature younger students who are not yet in high school, who will play band members. Student choreographers will assist English teacher Kelly Taylor in choreographing the dance pieces for the show.
Senior fine arts student Abby Shepherd is looking forward to putting together another great production with the rest of the cast.
“I think it’s really important to utilize all of our rehearsal time and to continue to push ourselves like we do with every production,” said Shepherd. “I’m really excited to see how this year’s cast works together to create another great show for the school and community.”
The entire fine arts department will continue to showcase their talents throughout the school year through concerts, performances and other showings.
FUTURE
As for the future of the fine arts department, ACHS wants nothing but improvement for the program as well as the students. Students involved in the fine arts program are impacted positively and, as the department expands and improves, so will the experience of ACHS students.
Senior fine arts student Riley Beckett said, “The fine arts department has a lot to look forward to and a lot of growing coming in the future. The program already has grown so much since since my freshman year. In my opinion, it’s only uphill from here.”
Beckett was involved with the fine arts program since his freshman year, and participated in choir, madrigal choir and numerous productions with the theatre department.
“The fine arts department has helped me make friends and form relationships. It’s also helped me build confidence,” said Beckett, “I’ve also been provided with amazing opportunities such as going to Disney World, New York City and the Illinois High School Theatre Festival.”
The talented and award winning fine arts program will continue to to make changes for the betterment of fine arts students, and the legacy of the ACHS fine arts department will live on.