KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City high school is drawing back the curtain on a stage that's been dark for nearly a decade.
The spotlight is shining on East High School's theater program after Karen Anderson worked hard to bring the stage back to life.
"It was nine years since they had a staged production, so I just thought that was way too long," said Anderson, theater teacher at East High.
Before Anderson became the theater teacher two years ago, it has been years since a school play had been in the works.
This year, nearly 20 cast and crew members are rehearsing to perform a series of one-act plays.
On April 18, Anderson's class will perform "The Philadelphia" from "All In The Timing" by award winner David Ives and "Thirteen Ways To Screw Up A College Interview" by Ian McWethy.
"The Philadelphia" is a comedy that likens a person’s state of mind to a certain city. "Thirteen Ways To Screw Up A College Interview" is a witty collection of scenes featuring a variety of characters — neurotic, vampiric, narcissistic, jokester, elderly man — all on the wait list attempting to gain entrance into a university.
Anderson applied and was awarded grant money from KCPS Education Foundation to fund the productions. Without the grants, Anderson said the costs would have been out-of-pocket.
Anderson and students hope the audience will applaud and support the theater program enough to keep the curtain from closing for good.
"I hope that they keep coming back because encouragement from the audience also encourages us," said Anna Kasindi, a sophomore at East High School.
The show plays for one night only at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at East High School, 1924 Van Brunt Blvd.
Doors open at 6 pm. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
