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Blue Springs, MO —
Morgan Gillett has acted in theater productions throughout her career at Blue Springs High School. The senior decided to move behind the scenes in the school’s latest production, “The Boys Next Door.”
“I have been taking a direction class, and I fell in love with it. I decided this time, I would participate in the show from a different perspective,” she said. “I think it's hit and miss, if I like being a stage manager and direction more than acting. I want to do both in college. I just love being able to perform.”
“The Boys Next Door,” written by Tom Griffin, focuses on the lives of four mentally disabled men who live together in a group home. With both comedic and dramatic tones, the play offers brief glimpses into their lives as well as into the life of their caretaker, Jackie.
“The Boys Next Door” is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Blue Springs High School, 2000 N.W. Ashton Drive. Admission is $5 for students and $6 for adults.
“This is an award-winning play, and I thought we had the right group of people to do it this year,” said Lisa Lowman, theater director at Blue Springs High School. “I think when you tell people that this is about mentally handicapped individuals, they are leery. But the play is written so well and really is written about the relationships these men have. This is definitely not something I would do if it was offensive.”
Senior Chris Hendrix plays Arnold Wiggins, who Hendrix describes as a fusion of Milton from “Office Space” and the Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland.” He said his biggest challenge has been keeping in mind that Arnold is actually middle-aged.
“I can’t play the character like I am a high school student. I always have to remember that he is older than I am,” he said. “My favorite scene is when the guys are chasing this imaginary mouse around the apartment. It is pure chaos, which is why I think I like it so much.”
Senior Kyra Gross plays Jackie, the group home’s social worker and caretaker. A sarcastic, but lovable, women, Gross said Jackie is burned out and exhausted from her job.
“My heart is really into this play because I care so much about mentally handicapped individuals,” she said. “This play shows a very human side to these characters. It does not always have to be a scary issue.”
Morgan Gillett has acted in theater productions throughout her career at Blue Springs High School. The senior decided to move behind the scenes in the school’s latest production, “The Boys Next Door.”
“I have been taking a direction class, and I fell in love with it. I decided this time, I would participate in the show from a different perspective,” she said. “I think it's hit and miss, if I like being a stage manager and direction more than acting. I want to do both in college. I just love being able to perform.”
“The Boys Next Door,” written by Tom Griffin, focuses on the lives of four mentally disabled men who live together in a group home. With both comedic and dramatic tones, the play offers brief glimpses into their lives as well as into the life of their caretaker, Jackie.
“The Boys Next Door” is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Blue Springs High School, 2000 N.W. Ashton Drive. Admission is $5 for students and $6 for adults.
“This is an award-winning play, and I thought we had the right group of people to do it this year,” said Lisa Lowman, theater director at Blue Springs High School. “I think when you tell people that this is about mentally handicapped individuals, they are leery. But the play is written so well and really is written about the relationships these men have. This is definitely not something I would do if it was offensive.”
Senior Chris Hendrix plays Arnold Wiggins, who Hendrix describes as a fusion of Milton from “Office Space” and the Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland.” He said his biggest challenge has been keeping in mind that Arnold is actually middle-aged.
“I can’t play the character like I am a high school student. I always have to remember that he is older than I am,” he said. “My favorite scene is when the guys are chasing this imaginary mouse around the apartment. It is pure chaos, which is why I think I like it so much.”
Senior Kyra Gross plays Jackie, the group home’s social worker and caretaker. A sarcastic, but lovable, women, Gross said Jackie is burned out and exhausted from her job.
“My heart is really into this play because I care so much about mentally handicapped individuals,” she said. “This play shows a very human side to these characters. It does not always have to be a scary issue.”
