Many students at Camas High School (CHS) are unaware of the Thespians Club, also known as Drama Club, where students flex their acting prowess and creativity. This club is run by many leaders, including committee heads Elijah Hackl, Elli Deardorff, Connor Farley, Leo Wilson and Raye Jenson. The club advisor is Sean Kelly, who also teaches theater.
Many students in the club are interested in helping CHS’s drama department, which has put on multiple shows, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the spring musical this year, “The Addams Family.”
Every Thursday, the club gathers during Student Support in the Drama Room to discuss various subjects, including fundraising and outreach.
“Thespians support the theater department. We promote shows, do some fundraising, do Lobby design when it’s time for that and generally whatever needs to be done to keep the shows going strong,” Hackl said.
The club has been a melting pot for all who love theater to mingle with peers who share their passion.
“I think [Thespians Club] is honestly pretty fun. I like to be around people that share the same interests as me,” Wilson said.
Sadly, however, the Thespians Club has faced troubles since the removal of CHS’s Conference period. The replacement, Student Support, has shortened their meeting time by over half, limiting their possibilities to form lasting plans and overall productivity. By the time they meet and get started, there are less than 10 minutes to work.
“[The shortened meeting time] has put a strain on our ability, but I hope we can accomplish some good things this year,” Hackl said.
“Now, [meetings] are so rushed, we have trouble organizing events and fundraisers,” Kelly said.
Though time is an issue, it has not yet become an obstacle, as the Thespians Club has a fundraiser in the works for a new set of microphones and sound equipment.
“[Our equipment] is very old and starting to break, so we’re getting that process started,” Kelly said.
Overall, Thespians is a productive and fun club that allows students to practice their passions alongside their peers. They work hard toward their goals and continue to help behind the curtains, ensuring all productions and musicals are going strong. Soon, the Thespians Club will only grow, helping give back to their community.
