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In the Spotlight: Ridgeview’s Drama Club brings fresh perspective to classic ‘The Ash Girl’ personifies the envy, gluttony, anger of ‘Cinderella’

Kathleen Chambless
Posted 10/27/21

ORANGE PARK – If you’re at all familiar with the local theatre scene, then you’ve likely heard about Ridgeview High’s drama program. Run for years by Lindsay McDade, the RHS Drama Department …

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In the Spotlight: Ridgeview’s Drama Club brings fresh perspective to classic ‘The Ash Girl’ personifies the envy, gluttony, anger of ‘Cinderella’


Posted

ORANGE PARK – If you’re at all familiar with the local theatre scene, then you’ve likely heard about Ridgeview High’s drama program. Run for years by Lindsay McDade, the RHS Drama Department has produced dozens of successful shows such as “Hairspray” and “Play On.”

Their most recent production, “The Ash Girl” is their first fall show in two years, and it gives audience members a new perspective on the classic fairytale, “Cinderella.”

The actors did an excellent job portraying the full range of emotions that can plague a person when facing internal monsters. Creatures of the forest personify human faults like envy, gluttony and anger, which help create genuine conflict throughout the show.

In speaking to members of the cast and crew, their dedication and enthusiasm were apparent. McDade and Wilson have cultivated a space that’s both welcoming and encouraging.

The two leads in “The Ash Girl” revealed that had it not been for the gentle push from their two directors, neither of them would have auditioned. In a space where self-expression is celebrated, students from all different grades have found a family and support amongst their peers and their teachers.

The support that drama students receive at Ridgeview isn’t just from within the program. Administration and teachers across the school have helped whenever needed.

“One of our new teachers helped us build the fireplace for our set,” a member of the set crew said. “Mr. Ley, our technology teacher, helped us design the program and let us use his class printer to make them.”

It’s more than helping with the production that means so much.

Students also thanked their principal, Becky Murphy, and her photography skills for highlighting the work that they do.

“I think Ms. Murphy takes at least a hundred photos every time we have a show. She always comes to see it and then posts them on Facebook,” one of the students said.

The support that these students feel has truly allowed them to blossom. Several students shared some of the personal struggles that they had been through, and how taking part in RHS drama has helped them.

“I was an IB student, and it got to where I was dreading all of my other classes. I had drama with Ms. Wilson during first period, and that really got me through the day. When I left the IB program, I could still do drama and got to have it for my last period of the day, which really put me in a great mood every day.”

Other students credit the drama community for lifting them out of some of the darkest periods in their lives. “It really gave me an outlet, and a project to focus on that I could share with other people.”

Community involvement is crucial for all theatre groups, but especially for those sponsored by schools. Lack of funding for art programs has always been an issue, and with increased budget cuts, it’s not uncommon that teachers and directors such as McDade and Wilson have made countless trips to the store to get costume supplies, paint for sets, or other essential items that the budget doesn’t cover.

Fundraising and community participation in Drama Club-sponsored events can be fantastic ways to support your local school troupe. However, to support your school best, attending performances and spreading the word about shows will always mean the most to the actors and crew that pour their energy into their work and do so spectacularly.