Kelly Middle School forms drama club

BENTON, Mo. -- The newly formed drama club at Kelly Middle School aims to bridge the gap between the existing elementary and high school drama clubs.

"This is our first year to have a drama club at the Middle School," said Lydia King, KMS Drama Club sponsor. "For the last two years, the elementary has had a drama club, and the high school has had a drama club for several years so there has been a gap for the kids who fell in love with the art and weren't able to take it in middle school."

King, who worked as a teacher's aide for the district last year, was hired as a full-time, sixth grade language arts teacher for this school year. She said creating a drama club for middle school students this year was a passion in her heart.

"I was involved in drama club as a young person and my daughter was involved in theater and I watched what it did do for her," King said. "It made her a more confident speaker and have better eye contact with people, and it helped her to not be as intimidated to speak in front of people. It was a powerful thing."

When the new school year began last month, King held auditions with a cut-off of 30 members, which included both performers and the backstage crew.

"This is such a unique organization because it really reaches the kids that maybe aren't necessarily athletic or some of them feel like they don't fit in, and this is an expressive place for them to be themselves," King said.

The students are enjoying it, too.

"I've had kids say: 'This is where I belong' and they get to really express themselves and do a lot of improvisation and thinking on their feet. They're building skills to get them ready to perform in front of an audience," King said.

The club meets every Thursday.

"We will have one big production in April on the high school stage," King said, adding the club selected its play last week. Students chose the 1950s "who-dunnit" mystery, "Murder at the Malt Shop."

With the formation of a new club also comes the need for money.

"This is a start-up club so we have zero dollars," King said. "We were thinking of a quality fundraiser we could do. So many times these kids are selling and peddling a product, and it gets overwhelming after awhile because there are so many similar fundraisers."

In trying to think of a fun and original fundraiser for the club to do, King said the idea for a 5K costume run/walk came to mind.

"Costumes are encouraged, and, of course, participants can walk, too," she said.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. Oct. 15 at Kelly High School in Benton. Registration will be from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. with awards at 2:15 p.m. There is a $25 entry fee. Those who register early will receive a free T-shirt. A best costume prize will be awarded for each age division.

"We have almost 30 participants right now," King said Wednesday. "Some of these are doing it because 5Ks are their thing, and others are doing it just for enjoyment."

Those who cannot attend the Oct. 15 event are welcome to make a donation, too. Proceeds will benefit the Kelly Middle School Drama Club.

"We have no finances to pay for our costumes and props, and we're also hoping to buy some new microphones and these kids put lot of work in these productions and we're lacking in sound production right now," King said of how the funds will be used.

Middle School Drama Club member Brianna Pennington said she's excited students in sixth through eighth grades have another club option.

"So far it's been really awesome. We've been focusing on planning the 5K costume run and walk, and it's so awesome," Brianna said.

The sixth grader said she's happy she can continue with drama club in Middle School. She was a member of the elementary drama club.

"I think this is going to be a really nice club, and we have a really good time interacting with our classmates," she said. "I'm pretty sure we will have a great year with our drama club, and Mrs. King has been a great leader."

Sixth grader Mason Eubanks was also excited for drama club to continue when he reached Middle School this year.

"I thought it was awesome, and I really wanted to be in drama club, and you get to be with your friends," Mason said.

To audition, students had to memorize and recite a specific paragraph before the drama club sponsors from each school and a music teacher.

"We've played a few games to get used to everybody and did these three skits," Mason said of the club's meetings so far.

Mason said he's looking forward to the big play in the spring and getting to see which characters everyone will play.

"I feel like it's a good way to get kids to memorize things because you have to memorize your lines," Mason said about drama club.

King looks forward to the benefits the newly formed drama club will provide for students.

She said: "In today's world where we typically communicate only through technology, drama club can prepare students to communicate face-to-face and speak -- and not be reserved -- and I think that's amazing."

To register for the 5K, email King at lydia.king@kellyhawks.org; call the school at 573-545-3541; or complete a form linked to the district's website: kellyhawks.org. Click on "Middle School" and then the link for the 5K.

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Want to help?

What: First-ever 5K Costume Run/Walk fundraiser hosted by the Kelly Middle School Drama Club.

When: 1 p.m. Oct. 15; registration is from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Where: Kelly High School in Benton

Other info: Entry fee is $25; those who register early will receive a free T-shirt. To register or sponsor the event, email Lydia King at lydia.king@kellyhawks.org; call the school at 573-545-3541; or complete a form linked to the district's website: kellyhawks.org. Click on "Middle School" and then the link for the 5K.