Sierra Lutheran High School in Carson City to present spring production April 14-15

Spring is in the air, and the Sierra Lutheran High School Theater Department has chosen two comedic takes on classic fairy tales to celebrate.

On April 14 and 15, the SLHS Theater Department will host its Spring Production, featuring two short plays, “The Three Bully Goats Griff” and “The Mad Tea Party.”

“I always think that spring is a great time for comedy, and these plays are no exception. We’re coming out of winter, we’re coming out of Lent, and people are in the mood to laugh and be happy,” explains SLHS Theater Director Martin Kois. “These plays deliver lots of laughs along with lots of lessons, and that’s a tradition I’d like to keep up.”

“The Three Bully Goats Griff,” by Patrick Rainville Dorn, is an original take on the classic Billy Goats Gruff story, with an anti-bullying message. “The Mad Tea Party,” by Brian D. Taylor, shows a day in Wonderland after Alice’s adventures.

Both plays are considered “children’s theater,” making for a family-friendly and fun outing. Mr. Kois chose these plays specifically for their child-like qualities.

“The actors get to play with their characters more, and it gets kids involved and loving theater for exactly what it is: extended play-pretend time,” Kois said.

Kois also chose these particular plays for their family values.

“(They) are full of messages that everyone should be reminded of, now and again. Love your enemies, use your power wisely and carefully, and try to approach your problems from a different angle if you want to make real progress.”

This year, for the first time ever, one of the two plays is completely student directed. Claire Cochran, a junior at SLHS, is directing “The Three Bully Goats Griff.” Kois shares Cochran is a “marvelous leader” and her hard work is paying off to make for a really stupendous show.

Over the past year, the SLHS theater program has seen tremendous growth and maturity. Kois explained some of the students who typically work backstage are taking on acting roles, and new people are getting involved in every aspect of the theater.

“Just this year, we’ve seen students handle jobs like set design and direction that used to be the work of the teachers; additionally, our sound technicians have been growing in their skills thanks to Mr. Schumacher’s advanced tech class.”

In fact, the program has grown so much Kois is now be able to offer varsity letters for student involvement in theater. Next year, students will be able to take two years of separate theater courses. Kois, who began the program three years ago, is proud to showcase his students’ hard work.

“I’m very excited about how far we’ve come, and about where we seem to be going,” Kois said.

The SLHS Spring Production will take place on Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15, at Sierra Lutheran High School, 3601 Romans Road in Carson City. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the performance begins at 6:30. Tickets are $5 ($3 for children under 12 and seniors over 60). Before Friday’s performance, there will be a fundraiser dinner in the SLHS Commons starting at 5 p.m. ($5/plate). Also on Friday, during intermission and after the show, tea and pastries will be available for sale.

Katie Allin is an administrative assistant at Sierra Lutheran High School.