“The Mousetrap” cast: L-R: 3rd-4th Grade Teacher Kristy Lipkin, Humanities Teacher Charlie Atwood, 10th Grader Jared Emminger, 11th Grader Justice Houston, 10th Grader Courage Houston, 7th grader John Brody Kunst and 6th Grader Lauren Emminger surround the latest murder mystery - in this case, Art Teacher Mrs. McGrady.
By Jonathan Weaver
Grace Brethren Church in West Kittanning will turn into an acting theatre for students for the first time this weekend.
A handful of Grace Christian School students and three of their teachers will perform Agatha Christie’s murder mystery “The Mousetrap” as their first school theatrical production.
Pastor Matt Owlett acted in “The Mousetrap” in college and is comfortable directing it this weekend. He graduated from Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, Pa. – about five hours away from West Kittanning – about four years ago.
“This is my first time directing a play. Since my freshman year in college, I’ve probably acted in 10 plays, so I have a lot of experience under some great directors,” Pastor Owlett said. “So I feel very prepared.
“When we were talking about trying to offer some more extracurricular activities as a school, I wanted to do a play.”
A drama club used to be held after school as well, but Pastor Owlett said the majority of cast members are inexperienced and are “learning by doing.”
“It’s been very neat, as well as challenging to try and teach them some things as well as help them as they develop their characters along the way,” Pastor Owlett said.
Students are practicing each evening this week.
9th Grader Courage Houston plays curious “Sergeant Trotter” in the two-act play. Houston, 14, has also acted at a dinner theatre “Meet Me at Luigi’s” at Harvest Community Church in North Buffalo Township
He borrowed costumes from family members or fellow cast members for his role, and described his character inside the main room of Monkswell Manor guest house.
“I come just after someone gets killed in London and they think another person’s going to get killed later on because it has the address where they were killed,” Houston said. “There’s a ton of different people that are really strange.”
Junior/Senior High Humanities Teacher Charlie Atwood hasn’t performed since the eighth grade production of “Coconut Island” at Kittanning Junior High about 15 years ago, but auditioned and thought he got the part of “Mr. Paravicini” since he can give an Italian accent as his character does.
“I think he can be summed up by his best line ‘He is a man of mystery,’” Atwood said. “He’s the only guest who didn’t book in advance and just happens to be there during a snowstorm – a very mysterious character.”
Art Teacher Karen McGrady is also in her first production with the role of “Mrs. Boyle.” She is enjoying the experience so far, but notices students are “cutting loose” on stage rather than behaving like their quiet, obedient selves.
Pastor Owlett said the three teachers have really helped students with their lines and setting them up – including the youngest actress, sixth-grader Lauren Emminger - for this weekend.
“She’s certainly come a long way and I’m very pleased with her progress,” Pastor Owlett said.
Emminger, and brother Jared both called it an awkward experience acting together on-stage, but Lauren enjoyed the fact both got to practice at home together.
About 25 people auditioned at the beginning of the semester. Mostly students in fifth grade through high school auditioned.
The production takes place at 7PM this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are already available for $5.