First Winter Break in Michigan to occur at SJHS

We know winter break just ended, but here comes a play to help remind you of all of the fun times you had over break. After The Sound of Music and the musical's booming success in the fall, Winter Break is another production to be directed by Ms. Cassidy VanGilder, an English 8 and 10 teacher, which is set to happen this February. Showtimes are: Friday, February 18 at 7 PM, Saturday, February 19 at 2 PM, and Sunday, February 20 at 7 PM. 

Winter Break is a new play written by a group of teenagers from Oakton High School in Virginia, first performed December 2020 over a livestream due to COVID-19. This will be the first time this play will be performed in the state of Michigan. 

This play is written in vignettes, meaning multiple brief stories blending into each other. This play will tell multiple stories of different characters that will eventually all lead into each other. 

photo by hui huang from pexels

Winter Break is set in a town in the United States at the start of Winter Break. This play follows 19 teenagers who fight their way through friendships, breakups, graduation, and their way in this world. There is a very diverse set of characters. This play was essentially ‘written by kids for kids.’ There is a genuine portrayal of real teenagers written into this play.

“Everyone in the script has something unique about them and no matter what is happening in their lives that makes it difficult for them to show it, or for you to get a glimpse of it.... Sometimes, the effort to find that special thing is worth it,” Ms. VanGilder said.

“This is going to be a challenging play for me because I am one of the first people to ever play the role of Pi, so I don’t have much to go off. However, I’m excited to learn more about theater through my character,” Clara Berry, 10, expressed.

A handful of the actors cast were in the fall musical; but some, practically freshman and sophomores, have not been in a high school play. For some, this is the first time they’ve been cast in a high school production. 

“Something to know before seeing the play is that it’s about kids and kids’ experience on the first day of winter break. The scenes are really touching and are represented really well through a diverse cast of characters.” Virginia Weykamp, (playing the role of Cam) 10, said.

The cast is very excited to present a new story we haven't seen before here. Don't forget to stop by February 18, 19, and 20 to see what everyone will be talking about this February.