theHword.com

TheHWord.com this week features several posts related to a theatre production being presented by the Hastings Junior Community Theatre (HJCT). This group will be performing “Higher,” an original play written by Superior, Nebraska, native AP Andrews, as well as “Illinois Jane and the Pyramid of Peril.”

“Higher” addresses many of the issues facing teens today, while “Illinois Jane,” a spoof of the Indiana Jones movies, is a classic melodrama where audience members can “boo” the villain.

Both student directed one-acts will be performed this Friday and Saturday (June 4 and 5) at 7 pm at the Hastings Community Theatre in Good Samaritan Village. A special family matinee of “Illinois Jane” only is at 2 pm on Saturday.

Directing ‘Illinois Jane’

By Grace Callahan

When I found out I would be directing “Illinois Jane and the Pyramid of Peril,” I was really excited – but in the back of my mind, I was super scared.

So far, I’ve been too busy to be scared, but every time I start to think about it… .

“Illinois Jane and the Pyramid of Peril” is a spoof on “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” Actually, I haven’t seen the movies yet; my friend, Tony, is going to let me borrow them.

However, I have seen a couple spoof movies (“The Family Guy” parodies of “Star Wars” spring to mind) and I listen almost exclusively to Weird Al, so I have a vision of what the parody should be like. It’s going to be set in the late 1930′s or early 1940′s, just like the movies. The characters are aware that this is a performance for the audience, and behave as such, with slight overacting and a few references to the fact that the heroine cannot die but the henchman is expendable.

The play is moving along nicely. The French accents need some work, but I am not worried. The other main concern is the set – it’s going to be difficult but manageable. I’m happy, I’m scared, but most of all I’m excited.

This show is so much fun to read, and I’m sure it will be even more fun to watch…when it’s done.

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Grace Callahan graduated from Hastings Senior High School on May 23. She owes a lot to her helpful teachers and parents, and of course, her dog Quarter. Grace works part-time at Burger King, but doesn’t mind taking time off to do theatre.

About the author: Christine Cottam

Christine Cottam’s life is regularly interrupted with bursts of spontaneous song and dance. She teaches voice in her privately owned Studio C and is a music and theatre student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Christine is the chair for the Hastings Junior Community Theatre where she also directs summer theatre for teens. She lives with her husband, two kids, two cats, two frogs, and one freakishly fast snail.