Under the guidance of director Andy Windham, as her mother, Vivian Hugghins, did before her, the Italy High School Drama Club cast and crew gave a live performance of Kamikaze Kate (and the sword of Captain Kuroda) in front of a packed auditorium inside Italy High School.

Not only has Windham and her students attended clinics to help improve the set and overall flow of the play, they used this week’s showcase as one final tune-up before the competitions begin. “The clinics were extremely helpful. Surprisingly, the judges offered little critique for the actors, themselves, commenting that our students were already amazing actors,” boasted Windham.

After a quick announcement from Windham, crew member Meagan Hooker opened the curtains and in flew KamiKaze Kate, portrayed by IHS freshman Tia Russell. As the play, set in 1980s England, moved along, Kamikaze Kate, encountered the ghost of Captain Kuroda, portrayed by Gus Allen (junior), who would appear from under her bed, took orders from her demanding mother, portrayed by Drenda Burk (senior), played teacher’s pet to, Miss Fig, portrayed by Kaytlyn Bales (senior), is visited by her, Aunt Peg, portrayed by Megan Richards (senior) and spent the entire play trying to convince her antagonist, Needle-Top, portrayed by Hayden Wood (junior), that the sword she had in her possession actually belonged to the ghost of Captain Kuroda.

Russell, was energetic and displayed a boisterous english accent throughout, captivating the audience and drawing them into the world of, Kamikaze Kate. Wood, owned the role of spike-haired, leather jacket and fingerless glove wearing, Needle-Top, to the extent where the sleeve printed tattoos on his arm appeared natural. Allen was masterful as a ghostly, Captain Kuroda, who spoke with a chinese dialect, managing to get a few laughs from the audience while speaking broken english, now that’s talent! Burke, was convincing as Kate’s mother despite the pair being separated by only a few years as IHS students.

Bales, was as flawless as Kate and Needle-Top’s teacher as she dealt with her two students constantly being at odds and Richards, in her role as the loving aunt, helped paint a believable picture of a young english girl being visited by the ghost of a Japanese war captain who trades the school girl his sword for assistance in mailing a letter to his wife and child in Japan. Not to mention the sword gets stolen from her bedroom and must be retrieved by she and the ghost!

What a fun play and what a great performance by the IHS Drama Club cast and crew. Do not miss your next chance to see this play!

After the curtains closed, the cast and crew enjoyed applause from the audience, while staying in character of course, before serving their guests ice cream and snacks.

Windham admitted after the performance, “Before the play began, we had a key spotlight knocked over so the stage was darker in areas than it should have been.” As the old saying goes, however, “The show must go on!” And what a show it was!!

Cast:

• Kate — Tia Russell
• Captain Kuroda — Gus Allen
• Mother — Drenda Burk
• Miss Fig — Kaytlyn Bales
• Needle-Top — Hayden Wood
• Aunt Peg — Megan Richards
  
  

Crew:

• Monserrat Figueroa (sophomore)
• Susana Rodriguez (senior)
• Alma Suaste (senior)
• Jameka Copeland (junior)
• Yesenia Rodriguez (senior)
• Reagan Adams (freshman)
• Meagan Hooker (junior)
  
  

Director:

• Andi Windham
  
  

Assistant Director:

• Destani Anderson (senior)