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Holyoke Catholic prepares play at Elms College

Holyoke Catholic High School students will stage the comedy "Check Please" at Elms College. Reminder Publications submitted photo
By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent



CHICOPEE The new Studio Theatre at Elms College will be the setting for a student-run production of "Check Please" in early February.

Holyoke Catholic High School students are currently in rehearsals for the show which takes place Feb. 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Senior Bryan Pytka is the student director, assisted by Eva Stockhamer, who is overseeing rehearsals and the production. Stockhamer serves as director of the Holyoke Catholic Performing Arts Club. Individuals also working behind the scenes with Pytka, Stockhamer and the actors include Dr. Frank Croke, lighting director; Daryll Geoffrey, back stage manager, and Sr. Louise Thomas, executive producer.

Stockhamer encourages area residents to support the students as well as "see a funny, well-written show that is appropriate for all." She also noted that area residents would see the recreated Studio Theatre.

"We helped the Elms Theatre Department clean, paint and remove articles that were no longer needed," said Stockhamer during an interview with Reminder Publications, adding that students also had input in the lighting and staging.

"The joint effort was a great success on many levels," she added.

Holyoke Catholic students chose "Check Please" for their student-run production because it allows as many students who want to participate to do so, according to Stockhamer.

"The production is also written so there are usually just two actors on stage at a time, which gives the actors the opportunity to act opposite just one person," she said. "Also, it lent itself to the new theater by using an intimate setting with appropriate lighting that allows for quick scene changes."

Cast members include seniors Megan Borwaski, Allison DeJordy, Colin Jalbert, Dave Peters and Lisa Rizzo. Juniors participating in the production include Dan Krafcik and Catherine Leonard, along with sophomores Hannah Garvey, Julie Geoffrey, Matt Pollette and Rachael Wolff, and freshmen Paul Adzima, Bryan Garcia, Victoria Kachinski, Kevin O'Connor, Mara Palma and Ben Viens.

"Student-run productions are important because in some cases it gives an actor who is now a director a look at the other side of the stage if you will and the challenges that come with making all of the decisions for on and offstage," said Stockhamer. "It also gives the actors the experience of being directed from one of their peers."

Stockhamer noted that from an actor's vantage point, it is "definitely different" than being directed from an adult.

"With some of the actors being seniors I think it gives them a different respect for each other and helps prepare them for working with others in college," she added.

Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $8 for adults, and will be available at the door. The Studio Theatre is located in the Student Center building.

For more information, contact Stockhamer at 525-0882.