By Tatum Northington Elmore/Autuaga News
By Blake Wallace Student Prattville High School
The Prattville High School Theatre will put on a production of “The Glass Menagerie” this week with four performances. EAN worked with PHS Student Blake Wallace as he conducted
interviews for the group as a part of his Production Class. Blake worked with the actors to discuss their production and to explain the importance of creative theatre work in the community.
Prattville Theatre has been a staple of PHS for nearly three decades, giving many students a creative outlet. Teacher, Blair Dyson, has grown the group exponentially since he took over the
responsibilities after the retirement of group founder Larry Owens, whom the performance hall is lovingly named after.
Dyson has encouraged inclusivity and creativity with students for many years at PHS with leaders and performers excelling not only in high school but in life outside of graduation as well. Brianna Poling explained “In Prattville Theatre I have learned to become a
leader and have recognized the importance of teamwork when it comes to any project. I continue to stay in the program because I always want to expand my knowledge and theatre allows me to do just that.”
The Glass Menagerie, the play that catapulted Tennessee Williams to fame in the 1940s, is a memory play and has many autobiographical features of Williams life. The group of high
schoolers chose this play “For how it portrays the struggles in family and life, especially in a time like the 1930s, where struggle was heavily prevalent. Our actors do a great job at portraying this
struggle in a genuine and relatable way,” says Kharis Hiser. This production is not an easy one to host, and Jayson Altieri discussed that “I watched several performances of this show to be
inspired by past actors, and in doing so have become really interested in pieces from the time period such as the typewriter and rotary phone. Understanding the time period prepared me to
properly emulate the period for the production.”
For any group to thrive in a school, they need unwavering community support. This group needs your help as they are 100% self funded and keep all ticket sales to continue the growth of performance arts at PHS. “Supporting local teens is very beneficial for the community, as high school students become the future community leaders. Our actors have worked so hard on this show for weeks and we love the feedback we can get from audiences,” says Aubrey Crigler.
Opening night will be this Thursday, September 15, starting at 7:00 P.M. There are also three more showings, one on Saturday, September 17 at 7:00 P.M. and two on Sunday, September
18, one at 3:00 P.M. and one at 7:00 P. M. Bobby Spears tells us to “Purchase your tickets on the school’s GoFan site and come out to support us and have the time of your life.” Tickets are on sale now and are $8.
