THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230245
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENNETT, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
Because of the fire at Princess Anne High School, this year's drama students have to do more than just rehearse for their school play.
They are having to transform a former formal wear and tuxedo shop in Celebration Station into a black box theater where they can stage their show, Neil Simon's ``Fools,'' which opens Thursday.
``It was kind of overwhelming at first because there was so much to do,'' said Natalie Corrigan, a 16-year-old junior who plays the leading lady, Sophia. ``Everybody pulled together and a lot got done fast. It's really amazing.''
The play takes place in a town that had been cursed with stupidity for 200 years by a father whose son's marriage proposal was rejected by a young lady named Sophia. The play twists and turns in hilarious attempts to break the spell.
In spite of the change from an 800-seat auditorium to a 90-seat black box theater, senior and technical director, Jennifer Anderson, 17, said the production will be just as enjoyable.
``The show lends itself to a black box theater because the setting is so intimate,'' Anderson said. ``It's theater in a whole new light.''
For those unaccustomed to a black box theater, it's basically a room in which the walls, ceiling and floor all have been painted black, which allows lighting to be used in special ways.
The school's regular theater, and decades of props, costumes and supplies were contaminated with asbestos after the school fire. Since no clearance was given to enter the premises, the teacher and the students agreed to convert the space they had been assigned, said Nancy Dodd, teacher in the drama arts department.
The smell of wet paint filled the air as blackened fingers pushed paint rollers across the walls, ceilings and floor. A screeching electric drill cutting through wood boards muffled teenage giggles. The pacing supervisor complimented some for their hard work and delegated tasks to others sitting idly. It was all in a day's work for Dodd and the students, who worked about three hours a day after school.
``Our adjustment has been a very From previous page
positive kind of thing,'' Dodd said. ``It's been unifying (and) given us an extra little lift to overcome the problems we have.''
In addition to students, others in the community also have contributed much to making the theater a reality. The black paint was donated by Norfolk Paint. The Salvation Army Thrift Store threw in a refrigerator and loaded a truck up like the ``Beverly Hillbillies,'' said parent Mike Anderson.
``It reminds you that people really do care,'' Corrigan said.
In the lounge, students can rest on matching armchairs from a Navy officer's club or they can heat up food in the microwave given by someone's grandmother. A mom gave used costumes from Williamsburg, then another mother fitted and pressed the garments for the show. Desks from the Virginia Symphony act as storage bins for various supplies. Others in the school system shared theatrical and miscellaneous resources, too, Dodd said.
Pauline Mann, supervisor at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, said, ``They called and asked if we could help and we said sure. That's what we're here for.''
Ervin Mullin, who has two children in the drama department, spent one of his vacation days at the makeshift site helping to change two dressing rooms into sound and lighting booths. ``It has made them a closer knit group of kids,'' Mullin said. ``I've seen a lot of pride in the kids keeping Princess Anne High going.''
They also have enough pride to maximize available resources and minimize expenditures. While insurance money is available, student and staff organizers have been frugal and resourceful, utilizing cardboard and styrofoam packing, old shoes and donated items. In just a few months, the young theater buffs went from almost nothing to a make-up room, a lounge, a sound booth, costumes, props, and a forum for their show.
``It's hard,'' said Corrigan, ``but it's all worth it in the end.''
Because of the fire at Princess Anne High School, this year's drama students have to do more than just rehearse for their school play. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Manon Van Gijtenbeek, left, holds the ladder while Corrie Watson
paints a lighting fixture black for the special black box theater.
Graphic
WHEN AND WHERE
The Princess Anne High School production of ``Fools'' opens at
the Black Box Theater at Celebration Station, 3352 Virginia Beach
Blvd., at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. It continues at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2,
7, 8 and 9. Seating is limited. Call 463-3792 for reservations.
by CNB