EXETER — Jeremy Harman spent much of his high school career focused on academic success, but next weekend he will take the stage for the first time in Wyoming Area Drama Club’s production of “Daddy’s Girl.”
A senior planning to major in Actuarial Science at the University of Pennsylvania, Harman said his portrayal of Walter in the lighthearted production with a touching ending is consistent with his own personality.
“Walter’s the nerdy character and I’m a nerd,” he said.
Harman said he tried out for the play because many of his friends are in the drama club, but is enjoying the experience of stepping out of his element.
“It’s been a great experience, learning my lines and getting to know everyone,” he said.
The production’s creative director Kate Mangan said the students participating in the production come from a broad spectrum of interests and abilities.
She said the show’s 14 student actors include seniors acting for the first time and students who have acted together since grade school.
The production was chosen after a field trip last year when the drama club went to a state conference last year.
“The kids saw it and they really loved it,” Mangan said.
The production started with the actors doing some improvisation and getting an understanding of their characters.
As the performance draws closer and the student performers are putting many hours into practice, the production has taken shape, with blocking and stage design providing a backdrop for the actors.
Both Mangan and drama club advisor/technical director Charles Yarmey credit the student stage management and assistants for readying themselves to “call” the production as the lights go up on the performance next weekend.
“When opening night comes, Kate and I step back,” he said. “It’s all about the students.”
Yarmey started working with the drama club when his daughter Emily was a member and asked him to contribute his carpentry skills.
A carpentry teacher at Westside Career & Technology Center, Yarmey quickly got used to teaching carpentry during the day and using those same skills to teach students about building sets at night.
When Emily graduated in 2016, Yarmey continued to work with the drama club.
“It’s hard to tell a senior class that you won’t be coming back,” he said. “So, I’m still here.”
Yarmey said the drama club blossomed during last year’s production of “The Little Mermaid” and has kept that momentum during the club’s current production.
“The fall production, although smaller, provides a chance to showcase the students’ abilities,” he said. “In the spring, we’ll be performing Mamma Mia.”
To Stephanie Palovchak, a senior, her six years in the district’s drama club have fueled her enthusiasm for being on stage.
She plans to major in musical theater as a college freshman.
“This is a really great show that I get to do in my senior year,” Palovchak said.
