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Murray Journal

Cottonwood’s theatre season offers shows to educate, inspire and entertain

Nov 11, 2024 11:56AM ● By Julie Slama

Cottonwood actors, seen here last spring in their one-act show, “Triangle,” which helped to propel them to the region championship, will perform “Mean Girls” this November. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Those patrons who plan to attend Cottonwood High’s fall musical on Wednesday, may want to keep in mind what the character Karen Smith says.

“On Wednesdays, we wear pink.”

That is what the member of the popular girls, nicknamed by others as “The Plastics,” tell the new girl, Cady, in the musical, “Mean Girls,” which will be performed by Cottonwood thespians. The show will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 23 on the school stage at 5715 S. 1300 East. Tickets will be available online through the school’s website, schools.graniteschools.org/cottonwoodhigh or at the door.

“I’m a fan of the script; Tina Fey wrote the book, the script, the show,” director Adam Wilkins said. “I need a good script for a show and this one is that. It’s funny, dramatic, relatable.”

He also appreciates the electric guitar and heavy drum music and that the chorus “gives a sense of belonging.”

The show kicks off Cottonwood’s theatre season, following their traditional Haunted Hallway where the community is encouraged to bring food items for the school’s pantry.

“That gives us a chance to connect with each other,” Wilkins said. “We coordinate with LIA’s (Latinos In Action) trunk-or-treat and all the performing arts students get involved brainstorming and designing their concept. It’s a fun event.”

In January 2025, the student-actors will put on their Broadway Revue and melodrama.

“It’s student-directed and seniors vote on it and select students,” he said. “It’s become a beloved tradition here and it’s rewarding when students have this directing experience. They have a say in what they’re doing and love doing it. After the fall musical, this gives them a different learning experience that isn’t as intense.”

They also will attend the Utah Theatre Association drama conference in Logan; Wilkins has served on the UTA board the past 15 years.

“It provides theatre student a chance to see different colleges every year. This is our first time at Utah State (University) and they’ll get to see plays by USU or local students and attend workshops at USU. It’s something loved by theatre students since it’s all about theatre,” he said.

In March, the thespians will perform “Clue,” a farce-meets-murder show inspired by the classic board game.

“Once again, the script is a good script and that’s important in selecting a show,” Wilkins said. “I’m excited to do a comedy that is intriguing, witty and clever.”

In March, they will take to the stage with their one-act, “Ernest and the Pale Moon” for their region competition. State is in April.

“Not a lot of people do horror as it’s challenging as well as intriguing,” he said, adding that the play inspired by works of Edgar Allan Poe and Alfred Hitchcock is being directed by drama coach Madison Howell. “It’s something fun and different, something to perform to defend our region title.”

The Colts end the year with their May performance of “Hadestown.”

“The message, the choices made, the trust – it’s all part of this classic Greek tragedy that we can tell in a modern setting. We’ll study the classic tale and understand how powerful and vital storytellers are. The script is powerful, and this gives them something they may not be exposed to, so they’ll be trying something new,” said Wilkins, who was one of 10 Granite School District Excel Educators last spring. “We have some timeless tales this season. Theatre is meant to educate, inspire and entertain and this season does just that.” λ