BW Theatre Presents Contest Drama this Thursday

The Belleville West Little Theatre will present the annual contest drama on Thursday, March 20.  This year’s offering is To Gillian on her 37th Birthday, a drama by Michael Brady.

Two years after the tragic boating accident that claimed his wife, David (senior Jacob Cange) still mourns the loss of his beloved Gillian (sophomore Bailey Guinn).  He has quit his job as a college professor, grown distant from his teen-aged daughter (freshman Rachel Deschaine), and moved to the family’s vacation house on the beach, where—on some nights—he is visited by Gillian’s spirit.

On a weekend in August—which marks both the anniversary of the accident and Gillian’s 37th birthday—the family gathers to remember Gillian and to nudge David back into his life.  His daughter returns home, his brother-in-law (sophomore Nathan Hirst) brings a job proposal, his strong-willed sister-in-law (senior Julie Graham) issues an ultimatum, and a friend from David’s past (senior Reagan Deschaine) reappears.

The original New York production of To Gillian on her 37th Birthday starred Belleville West graduate David Rasche.

The contest play offers a unique opportunity for drama students.  The play must be performed within a 40 minute time period, and student technicians have 20 minutes to set and clear the stage for performance.  To Gillian on her 37th Birthday will compete against other area schools to win a berth in the IHSA state tournament.  This year’s sectional competition will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 21 and 22.

The production is directed by Ms. Laurie Bielong and Mr. John Lodle.  Student directors are  seniors Cheyenne Alford, Dean Fults, Nick Klein, and Ethan Seaman; juniors Jake Bernstein, Tyler Herron, and Noah Murakami; and sophomore Alexis Radden.

The March 20 performance is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Belleville West Performing Arts Center, located at 4063 Frank Scott Parkway West.  Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults.

Speech Team Members Qualify for National Tournament

On Saturday, March 8, members of the Belleville West Speech and Acting Team competed at the NFL (National Forensics League) District Tournament at Normal West High School.  The following students qualified for the NFL National Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas, this June.

J’ambre Chalmers:  Dramatic Interpretation

Bethany Dain:  U.S. Extemporaneous Speaking

Jacob Cange and Kole Schlich:  Duo Interpretation

Henry Holm and Brooke Ingram:  Duo Interpretation

Overall, the team finished first in the district tournament.  Congratulations to all members of the team for another successful season!

BW Theatre Stages Contest Drama on March 20

The Belleville West Little Theatre will present the annual contest drama on Thursday, March 20.  This year’s offering is To Gillian on her 37th Birthday, a drama by Michael Brady.

Two years after the tragic boating accident that claimed his wife, David (senior Jacob Cange) still mourns the loss of his beloved Gillian (sophomore Bailey Guinn).  He has quit his job as a college professor, grown distant from his teen-aged daughter (freshman Rachel Deschaine), and moved to the family’s vacation house on the beach, where—on some nights—he is visited by Gillian’s spirit.

On a weekend in August—which marks both the anniversary of the accident and Gillian’s 37th birthday—the family gathers to remember Gillian and to nudge David back into his life.  His daughter returns home, his brother-in-law (sophomore Nathan Hirst) brings a job proposal, his strong-willed sister-in-law (senior Julie Graham) issues an ultimatum, and a friend from David’s past (senior Reagan Deschaine) reappears.

The original New York production of To Gillian on her 37th Birthday starred Belleville West graduate David Rasche.

The contest play offers a unique opportunity for drama students.  The play must be performed within a 40 minute time period, and student technicians have 20 minutes to set and clear the stage for performance.  To Gillian on her 37th Birthday will compete against other area schools to win a berth in the IHSA state tournament.  This year’s sectional competition will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 21 and 22.

The production is directed by Ms. Laurie Bielong and Mr. John Lodle.  Student directors are  seniors Cheyenne Alford, Dean Fults, Nick Klein, and Ethan Seaman; juniors Jake Bernstein, Tyler Herron, and Noah Murakami; and sophomore Alexis Radden.

The March 20 performance is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Belleville West Performing Arts Center, located at 4063 Frank Scott Parkway West.  Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults.

Page One Earns National Recognition

The 2012-2013 edition of Page One, the Belleville West literary and art magazine, earned a first place award from the American Scholastic Press Association.  The 2013-2014 magazine will be published in early May.  The magazine advisor is Mrs. Amber Thurnau.

BW Student Journalists Earn Distinctions

On Wednesday, February 26, members of the Hy News and Bellevinois staffs attended the annual winter conference of the Southern Illinois School Press Association (SISPA).  The BW student journalists competed in a variety of writing, design, and photography contests, bringing home the following awards:

Blue Banner Award for overall excellence, 2013-2014 Hy News

Mail-in competition: 

Featurette:
Ben Steppig, first place
Vimal Patel, second place
Jordyn Marchbanks, third place 

In-depth story:
Rosa Millsap, first place
Kole Rakers, third place

Humorous story:
Tyler Fedak, honorable mention
Kevin Fleming, honorable mention

Editorial cartoon:
Nicole Linskey, third place
Kryndle Schobert, honorable mention 

News story:
Evan Meirink, first place
Riley Wilson, third place

Sports column:
Cole Henke, first place 
Mike McCrane, third place

Editorial:
Kevin Fleming, honorable mention 

Sports Feature:
Cole Henke, second place, third place, and honorable mention

Overall layout:
Third place

On-site competition:

Editorial cartoon:
Nicole Linskey, honorable mention
Kryndle Schobert, honorable mention

Sports writing:
Cole Henke, second place 
Brianna Harris, third place

Feature writing:
Evan Meirink, second place 
Riley Wilson, third place

News writing:
Kole Rakers, first place 
Kara Luechtefeld, honorable mention

Review writing:
Sam Geiger, first place
Jacob Cange, third place

Photography:
Keaton Cheffer, honorable mention

Copy editing:
Vimal Patel, second place

Editorial writing:
Tyler Fedak, first place

Senior interview:
Rosa Millsap, honorable mention

Yearbook sports copy:
Vishal Patel and Kyle Winkler, honorable mention

Yearbook feature copy:
Matt Stehnach, honorable mention

The student newspaper is advised by Mr. Stephen Garland.  The student yearbook is advised by Mrs. Ashley Short and Mrs. Lannette Story.  Congratulations to the staff members and their advisors!