Inside Willie Wonka, Jr.

This second post in our three-part series about the very first theatre production of Irondale Middle School contains information provided in a press release written by IMS 7th graders, Sean Rease and Lindsey Meads.

It all started when teachers at IMS began looking for a significant way to both reward and challenge their hardest-working, best-behaved students. 

A year, some grant requests, and a great deal of hard work later, the production of Willie Wonka, Jr. will take shape on Shades Valley's theatre stage next week.

Members of the Performance Team rehearse for the March production. From left to right: John Blanding, Jalen Wilson, Chris Bellow, Rebecca Barrett, Maya Lewis, Lydia Keating, Chris Nguyen, Abigail Croy and Justin NailAt first, students weren't sure where they fit in.  Auditions included not only acting and singing, but also costume, set and publicity design.  In the end, students were divided into a publicity team, a performance team, and a design team based on their strengths.

As you can imagine, the performance team has been working tirelessly at memorizing lines, choreographing, practicing singing, and blocking in preparation for next week's performance. 

The publicity team has produced flyers and posters, written thank-you notes, and drafted press releases for news outlets such as the Birmingham News (and the Irondale Post). 

And of course, the design team has used their considerable talents to create the sets, costumes, and props for what will no doubt be a very colorful production.

Design Team member, Carlos Orellanos, adds finishing touches to a set.

You certainly don't want to miss this very first theatre production by students of IMS next Monday and Tuesday, March 8 & 9, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. at the Shades Valley Theatre auditorium. 

Tickets, while they last, are $4 for adults and $3 for students and may be purchased at the door.

Proceeds will go toward what hopefully will be the second annual production by IMS students, in 2011!