May 7, 2003
On with the show: Students stage 'Nile' play
St. Francis students T.J. Berden and Sasha Tatasciore run 'Murder on the Nile' production
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Stepping into the breach, St. Francis High School students T.J. Berden and Sasha Tatasciore decided that their school's lack of a drama teacher or program would not stop them from fielding a student play this spring.
The two combined forces to produce and direct "Murder on the Nile," leading a cast and crew of 30 fellow students through all the steps of production.
Beginning four months ago, Berden and Tatasciore began casting and guiding the creation of sets, costumes and schedules. Despite having their show canceled twice because of scheduling conflicts at the Kohler Auditorium, they were determined to put on the play. Principal Rob Bridges got on board and helped find a date for the play, which ran last week.
"The biggest challenge is we all have to rely on each other, it has taught us a lot," said Berden, of working with Tatasciore. "On top of our work with the actors, after rehearsal we had to work on costumes and set design."
Tatasciore moved to the school this year from Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. She will head to Interlochen Arts Academy next fall to complete her senior year as a theater major. The experience of helping produce and direct two plays - including last fall's "It's A Wonderful Life" - has been invaluable.
"The most challenging thing is we are actors and to get the characters out of the actors," Tatasciore said. "It helps us and I know everything I've learned here this year will help me in the future. It really has been a great experience."
Putting together a show for the school has become old hat to Berden, who for the past four years of high school has spearheaded the student-sourced drama program. Theater is his passion and Berden has also been heavily involved in a variety of Old Town Playhouse, Riverside Shakespeare and Traverse City Children/Teen Theater productions.
Berden noted that the school, parents and the community, especially members of Old Town Playhouse, have been supportive during productions. But the ultimate responsibility for every production lay squarely on the students' shoulders.
If they wanted something, they had to make it happen; if they needed something, they had to ask for it or create it; if they didn't know how to do something, they had to learn.
"We've done two a year without anyone since I've been here," said Berden, a 12th grade student heading to St. Thomas Aquinas College in the fall. "It has been a nice kind of community effort because people just kind of chipped in, they know the kind of predicament we're in."
Being a small school in a town known for its knock-out high school musical productions - West High School presented "Les Miserables" this spring and Central performed "Guys and Dolls" last fall - St. Francis drama students have carved out their own niche.
"We've become known over the years for our characters," Berden noted. "What they can't do we can do, which is offer a small, personal show."
Leading their peers was sometimes difficult, Berden noted, adding that the cast and crew jokingly referred to him and Tatasciore as 'Papa' and 'Mama.'
"When we're yelling at them then they have to find the fine line because after rehearsal we're just kids, too," he said.
Berden's unwillingness to take no for an answer over the years has also led to an update of the 30-year old Kohler Auditorium. A $180,000 renovation will bring new seating, lighting, stage curtains and painting that will benefit student and community productions for years to come.
"Because of T.J.'s work over the past four years, really pushing for drama, the Kohler is going to have an update," said Pat Cleland, dean of students at St. Francis High School. "Granted, T.J. had a lot of help, but it was him saying that drama counts. He's amazing, he's got a gift."