The Theatre Arts department at Panther Creek is constantly improving and expanding on its capabilities and activities for people to get involved in. The Theatre Arts department here at Panther Creek is made up of many advanced and talented people, many of which are actively involved in all the different aspects of the department. Panther Creek Theatre has had many accomplishments and successes throughout the years and plans to expand on these things in the years to come.

At Panther Creek there are many different theatre classes available to sign up for. There is an Introductory Theatre I class which introduce students to the basis of dramatic arts, and prepares them for the more advanced theatre classes available for more serious actors. Students are given the chance to learn more about theatrics, which they continue learning about in advanced Theatre II all the way to Theatre IV honors, where students have to audition in order to be considered for these classes. There are also technical theatre classes for those more interested in the technical angle of the department such as Technical Theatre I which is an introductory class to the mechanical/backstage aspect of Theatre Arts.

Many of those actively involved in Panther Creek theatre began their theatre careers early on, some as early as elementary and middle school. When interviewing senior Lauren Atherton, she said that she “first got started with theatre in 5th grade”. Many of those who first get involved explained different reasons for leaning towards theatre arts, Atherton also said that she decided to try it out when she had realized that she “wasn’t cut out for athletics”. Some got involved by chance and realized that they really enjoyed it. When speaking with senior Hannah Lamb, Vice President of Panther Creek’s Thespian Society, she had a lot to say about the opportunities theatre has given her: “The [Panther Creek] theater program has given me so many opportunities to grow as an actor and a leader. By participating in shows and running club meetings I’ve become a more outgoing and [a] confident performer.”

Every actor/actress at Panther Creek has their own specific niche in the world of theatre which allows them to grow through experience and practice. When PCNN interviewed sophomore Caroline Moore on the topic she said, “As time goes on, and the more productions I’m in, I’ve found out more about myself and the kind of actress I am.” Others saw that they changed solely through a variety of classes they have taken in and outside of school pertaining to the theatre arts. When speaking with senior Blake Benson, the President of Panther Creek Thespian Society he had a lot to say about developing as an actor: “Panther Creek theatre allows for [an] amazing opportunity to experience the entire spectrum of theatre. I’ve gone from ensemble in Anything Goes, to the lead in Seussical, and I’ve loved every minute of it. [Panther Creek] theatre has made me the outgoing performer I am today.”

Every year, there are two major productions that occur through Panther Creek theatre: one play and one musical. These tend to vary over the years and are different every year. This year’s play is The Crucible and this year’s musical is yet to be announced, and it’s expected to hold high standards. The past three years, Panther Creek has produced a 24 Hour Play Festival (which is when students interested, get together and a writer and director are assigned a cast, then a short play must be written, directed, and performed, all within a 24 hour time period). Mr. Cox, Panther Creek’s theatre teacher, described Theatre and the Arts department for PCNN, “Acting is doing. The most successful theatre students are the ones who not only participate in our program, but also seek out theatrical experiences outside the classroom.” All in all, Panther Creek theatre is a very advanced and well established department at Panther Creek that is constantly expanding, and there is more to come in the near future.