'Birds of a Feather' in Superior

For Superior High School Montana History Professor and Play Director Cathleen Kuchera the best part of producing a play every year is “getting to watch the students shine” and this year’s production of the play ‘Birds of a Feather’ was no different – for two nights the high school students took to the stage and shone. Preparation for play, which takes place in the suburbs and revolves around a series of showdowns between Leonna Crump (played by Hannah Hollenback) and her new neighbors – group of “hill-folk,” began two and a half months ago with Kuchera holding tryouts. “We had a shorter amount of time to put this play together – just over two months - and by play standards it is about a week less than what a director would like,” Kuchera said. “I hold a meeting for all interested parties about three months out to inform the students of my expectations. The play requires dedication and hard work, and the biggest part of the dedication is showing up to practice and memorizing your lines. Drama is not for the weak in body or mind.” After auditions, the group of student actors begins an intensive rehearsal regime – practicing over two hours a day to make sure the actors are prepared for their time to shine. “It is not like traditional sports where you have a number of games – we have only two shots at this,” Kuchera said. Another aspect of the preparation is, as Kuchera called it, “in the details” and the group works on finding all of the props and costumes as well as setting up the stage for the performance. “I do get pretty lucky in the fact that our set is painted by the advanced art class under Mrs. Kelly’s supervision – for which I am extremely thankful,” Kuchera said. The months of long practices lead to show time and on May 3 and 4 the student-actors entertained packed houses in the multi-purpose room of the high-school with the story of Leona Crump and her judgemental nature and sharpness being taken to the limit by her new neighbors. “I feel the performances went excellent,” Kuchera said. “Every single one of them did exactly what they were supposed to do – they rolled with the punches. I cannot express how proud I am with my cast and crew.” Although the ending of the play is “always bittersweet” for Kuchera, seeing the students shine and break out of their shells is something she cherishes. “When the students participate in the play and receive the praise they obviously deserve, I begin to see this confidence that wasn’t there before,” Kuchera said. “I say this almost every year, but the dramatic productions are so important because it provides students with an opportunity to express their artistic talents and be noticed for their skills.”