Scottie Pride: GHS Drama Students Work At Updating High School Auditorium

The Glasgow High School drama students and their advisors, Shyanne Wallace and Lizzie Peters, have been hard at work this year to revamp, redesign, reorganize and update the Glasgow High School auditorium, not only for their own sakes but also for future generations of Glasgow Scotties.

At the start of the 2022-2023 season, the students combined all of the props, costumes and sets from the Middle School and found new homes for them at the high school so everything was together for future productions. Before starting rehearsals for "Grease" it was quickly determined that upgrades needed to be done in order to make the entire process easier and smoother for future productions.

"After Grease and our spring sixth/seventh grade drama camp, the real work began! It was our goal to go through, clean and sort everything backstage. Last spring we also made a goal to update the sound system in the auditorium. We were all frustrated with the outdated system and spotty mics and wanted something we could rely on," stated Peters. "After an initial search into a new soundboard and microphones, it was undeniable that it wasn't something our group could afford."

This roadblock however did not stop the students. They started grant writing, and the Glasgow High School Educational Trust gifted the group nearly $18,000 worth of new sound equipment in memory of O.E. And Lois Wilson Markle. The group received a new digital soundboard, a MacBook in addition to 20 microphones and receivers. Peters stressed the gift will benefit more than just the Drama department as other events such as Homecoming Coronation, music and band concerts, Prom Grand March, Northeastern Arts Assemblies and so much more will have the opportunity to utilize the new system.

The students had the opportunity to unbox all of the items on Sept. 15, inside of the auditorium and worked quickly on getting everything installed so it could be functional for Homecoming Coronation. "Corbin Hopkins, the sound engineer from Fort Peck Summer Theatre, spent multiple days looking at our existing equipment, working with our students on how sound equipment works and for helping us find the best equipment for our space. We appreciated it immensely!," exclaimed Peters.

In addition to recently upgrading the sound system, the students have volunteered their time in the summer to revamp, clean and organize backstage. There is now a designated boys and girls dressing room, with a water/tea station in both rooms. The loft area, which according to Peters, "was a large space that seemed to laugh at us," is now a functional space thanks to Blaine White, parent and community member, who with assistance from a group, reinforced the floor, build a staircase and a handrail. "We are so excited to be able to keep all of our smaller set pieces and props up in the loft.," said Peters.

The students also spent time organizing the costume shop, the tech room and crows nest, which all stored items that needed to be sorted and removed. "The tech room was by far our largest project. It had become a dumping ground for anything we deemed tech," explained Peters. The students emptied every single item, down to every single screw, out of the room so it could be cleaned and painted. Once everything was placed back, it was sorted and organized.

A hair and make up studio was created in the far back corner, which previously had been jam packed with old furniture and large set pieces. They also added mirrors, lights and this space will be the new home for all of the hair and makeup products, first aid kits, wigs and accessories. Every single piece of clothing in the costume shop was emptied and organized but not before that area also received a fresh coat of paint.

Though Peters admits there are some things that still need to be purchased, such as storage items, hangers for the costumes and creation of tags for the costumes themselves to indicate size, the change is remarkable. "They created a space that they are incredibly proud of and a space that will serve them well for future auditorium activities. They are #ScottiePride," praised Peters.