SHS Drama Department recognized for set design

(Photo by Kris Todd) Spencer Thespian Troupe No. 1763 office holders, from left to right, secretary Jill Applegate, president Michael Seeley, Spencer High School Drama Director Larry Untiet, and treasurer Anna Robison display the trophy received and a copy of the ScenoGraphics catalog the award-winning set from "The Sound of Music" is featured in. Thespian vice president Melissa Janssen is missing from photo. [Order this photo]

Spencer High School's contest entry was for last year's fall production of "The Sound of Music."

Along with the fourth place honorable mention recognition in this prestigious national contest, SHS receives a trophy, as well as having a picture of its "The Sound of Music" set appear in the 2008-09 Sceno-Graphics catalog, which is distributed nationwide.

(Photo submitted) The November 2007 "The Sound of Music" set which received a fourth place honorable mention award in the National Set Builders Contest.

The set was built and painted by SHS students under the supervision of Larry Untiet, theatre director, and Frank Boever, art instructor.

"Receiving the award helps recognize the diversity of the drama department at the high school," Untiet said. "Most of the time it's the performers on stage who get all of the applause. With this, the students who aren't in the limelight are also able to get deserved recognition."

Untiet went on to say that those who work on the set put a great deal of time and effort into their responsibility.

(Photo submitted) The November 2007 "The Sound of Music" set which received a fourth place honorable mention award in the National Set Builders Contest.

"We usually rehearse a play for seven weeks. At the same time, we're also working on the set. So it takes a great deal of energy and determination," he said. "Being able to work on sets and behind the scenes on the various other production crews helps to attract many students to the theater program. In 2007-08, 150 students were involved in the drama department. ... This community has a reputation of supporting and being involved in the arts. The students see this and that helps them get involved."

The drama department's "The Sound of Music" award marks the eighth time that SHS students have received an award in this national contest. Prior awards include: First place for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in 2004; second place for "Camelot" in 1996; second place for "You Can't Take It With You" in 1995; first place for "Fiddler on the Roof" in 1994; third place for "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" in 1992, second place for "Oklahoma!" in 2006, and fourth place for "I Remember Mama" in 2007.

Additional contest winners in this year's contest included high schools from Lansing, N.Y.; Milan, Mich.; Warsaw, Ohio; Coral Springs, Fla.; Princeton, N.J.; Berlin, Ohio; Chipppewa Falls, Wis.; Wolcott, Ind.; Thornton, Colo.; Harrison City, Pa.; Central Square, N.Y.; Belleville, Ill.; Marshfield, Mo.; and York, Penn.