Causing Drama at Walnut Grove

Genia Wilson (Sophomore) and Rei Holmes (Junior) give insight on the Green & Black Friars, sponsored by Ms. Amanda Gibson who also teaches the drama class.  
​by Dayla Wilson

​Genia’s favorite part of being in drama is the community. She says “... You can’t [have] drama without teamwork.” which is very true. Drama helps people connect and relate to others with the same passion. 

Genia and Rei both agree that drama can be a challenge, and the nervousness of performing in front of a live audience is definitely a struggle for most people in drama. Genia says her least favorite part of Drama is being nervous. “Feeling like I’m going to let my nerves get to me [is the worst feeling]... It just makes me feel like I’m going to mess up or forget my lines..” 

Something that makes Genia feel better when she’s nervous is the people in drama. She goes on to say “I feel like it’s safe, even if you mess up, no one is going to get on to you for that.”

​Rei agrees. She told us “What makes me the most nervous is: How will people perceive us on stage?... If we make a mistake, will they notice?” 
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Rei’s favorite part of Drama is the group mentality. “I look forward to all of us grouping together. It’s so exciting to see how excited everyone is.” Drama is all about community, and the Green & Black Friars really reflect that.

Rei says that the students in drama are very inclusive and supportive of others. She said, “Everybody is really friendly. We’re kinda like one big family.” 

Drama can set students up for the future. Ms. Gibson mentioned, “...I think that the skills that they learn in the theatre are translatable to any job they could think of, and that being a part of the drama department will set them up to be successful in their future careers. Students in drama learn important skills in public speaking, creative problem-solving, and how to collaborate with others.” These are all skills that will be beneficial to them in the future. 

Overall, Drama is an amazing program to be a part of. For students interested in joining, this is Ms. Gibson’s advice: “Just do it! The hardest thing about trying new things is to start, and we encourage all newcomers and novices to come to check us out. We are looking for all kinds of people, and we always encourage people to join us for at least a day. The students in the theatre department, however different they are from each other, are one of the most supportive groups you can find. Students can always drop by and ask questions, and we encourage them to!”

(photo courtesy of Green&Black Friars Instagram)