Theatre Students Learn Stage Combat for Fall Play

Members of the cast and crew of Romeo and Juliet, the 2016 fall play, studied stage combat on Wednesday.  The session was led by Mr. Jeff Rice, a certified sword master with Steel the Stage.  Students studied weapon safety and basic fencing moves before learning the fight choreography for the show.  The cast will show off their skills in Romeo and Juliet on October 6, 7, and 8.

To learn more, check out this article with video from the Belleville News Democrat.

BW Little Theatre Sponsors BBQ for New Members

Belleville West Little Theatre will sponsor a barbecue for new and returning members this Saturday, September 17, starting at 1 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.  Little Theatre sponsors will provide hot dogs; members are encouraged to bring a dish to share.  Any BW student interested in the theatre program at Belleville West is welcome to participate.

Belleville West Theatre Announces 2016-2017 Season

The Belleville West Little Theatre recently announced its slate of shows for the 2016-2017 season.

The year opens with the fall play on October 6, 7, and 8.  This year’s first production is The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.  One of the most famous plays in the English language, William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy tells the story of two star-crossed lovers from feuding families.  The cast and crew will hold matinee performances for middle school students on October 6 and 7.

Next is the freshman-sophomore show, a performance that showcases West’s younger actors.  This year’s freshman-sophomore show will be held on Thursday, November 17.

The theatre department opens 2017 with the children’s show, scheduled for February 2 and 3.  This year’s show is the Disney favorite The Little Mermaid, featuring the classic songs “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Kiss the Girl.”  Area grade school students will enjoy matinee performances of the show on January 31 and February 1.

The season continues with the annual contest drama, to be held on March 16.  This year’s play is The Shadow Box by Michael Cristofer.  2017 marks the fortieth anniversary of this powerful piece, which earned both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play.  The cast and crew will compete in the sectional drama contest on March 17 and 18.

The year concludes with the spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors.  This cult show, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, includes such memorable songs as “Somewhere That’s Green,” “Suddenly Seymour,” “Suppertime,” and “Downtown.”  The musical will play the West stage on May 4, 5, and 6.

Students, parents, and theatre fans can follow all the drama on the BW stage by liking the group’s Facebook page.  Just click here to view the Belleville West Little Theatre page.

Little Theatre Hosts First Meeting on September 6

The Belleville West Theatre Department stages five productions each school year—the fall play, a show featuring only freshmen and sophomores in the cast, the children’s play, the traveling contest drama, and the spring musical. That’s five opportunities for Belleville West students to perform onstage, to build skills behind the scenes, to meet new friends, and to make some lasting memories.

Little Theatre is the organization that promotes theatrical events on the Belleville West campus. The group sponsors monthly informational meetings, social events, workshops for actors and technicians, and a spring honors reception. Any student interested in performing onstage or working behind the scenes is encouraged to join Little Theatre.  The group’s first meeting of the year will be held next Tuesday, September 6, after school in the Performing Arts Center.

Harambee Starts Twentieth Year at Belleville West

Harambee, the Belleville West multicultural organization, will hold its first meeting of the year this Friday, September 2.  The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in the choir room (A111).  All interested students are welcome to attend.

Each year, Harambee presents a performance for the school and the community during Black History Month.  The group also sponsors an annual Soul Food Day, hosts a holiday toy drive, tours area feeder schools, performs at Belleville West assemblies, and travels to historical and cultural locations.

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the club.  Harambee is advised by Ms. Carnetta Chalmers.

Speech Team Holds Auditions for New Members

The award-winning BW Speech and Acting Team will hold auditions for new members on Wednesday, August 31.  Auditions will take place in room B107 immediately after school.  Students can pick up information in B107, B336, or B338.

The team participates in tournaments throughout the state of Illinois from November through March.  Speaking events include humorous and dramatic acting, radio broadcasting, extemporaneous speaking, original oratory, prose reading, poetry reading, and impromptu speaking.

Students from all grade levels are welcome to audition for the team, which is coached by Mr. Adam Jenkins, Mr. Russ Reidelberger, and Ms. Julie Schloesser.