The Northwest Voice

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For the first time in recent memory, Fruitvale Jr. High School's drama class presented a holiday program.

Under the direction of Kerstin Davies, the 7th and 8th grade students performed acts from "Dr. Funk's Christmas Explosion" and "Billy Shakespeare's Christmas Extravaganza," written by Don Zoldis. 

In years past, the school's drama class (that meets during the regular school day) performs during the Shakespeare Festival in Bakersfield and culminates the year with a spring musical held in their school's auditorium. 

This year, however, Davies decided to add a Christmas program.

From the first scene, when 8th grader Jordyn Peery steals the show as one of Santa's elves, it is easy to forget that these are junior high students.  With bold voices and well-rehearsed facial expressions, the actors and actresses appear much older, with polished talent that one would expect in a high school production.

In four acts, many of the students were responsible for more than one role, so countless hours of memorization and learning stage directions was mandatory.

The program was not without SNAFUs, however.  One day before the performance, a lead actor became ineligible to perform.  In his place, Sheldon Myers accepted the role of Santa in the first act and had just one day to memorize several lines.

During the first scene, the silly and overly spirited elf, "Sid" (played by Jordyn Peery), lost a pointy ear and had to carry on as if nothing had happened.  In the second act, "The Christmas Tree Thief," Jaisyn Martin ran into trouble when the tree she was "stealing" broke in two pieces. 

To their credit, the students conducted themselves as professionally as would any seasoned theater troupe.  One actress, Marissa Leal, sang an acapella version of "Silent Night" during intermission, proving that these thespians are multi-talented.

Fruitvale Jr. High School is known for Science Fair, History Day and Math Day accomplishments, and they often win volleyball and basketball trophies, as well.  After this performance, however, it should not be long before this California Distinguished School receives much deserved recognition for its drama program, too.