From left, Jada Bell, who plays Tricia; Bethany Byrd, who portrays Gooney Bird Greene; Kailly Tucker, who plays Keiko; and Blake Fowler, who plays Barry, practice a scene from the Union County High School Drama Department’s upcoming performance of “Gooney Bird Greene and Her True Life Adventures!” on Monday night.
John Nick Gault, who plays Malcolm in the upcoming production, sits under a desk as part of practice on Monday night.
The play is based on the book "Gooney Bird Greene" by two-time Newberry Medal winner Lois Lowry.
The play begins with students in a classroom, reluctant to be back in school. Suddenly, they are met by a new student — Gooney Bird Greene, played by Bethany Byrd.
Gooney Bird arrives wearing pajamas and cowboy boots and has plenty of improbable and outlandish stories to share about her life. The students believe Gooney Bird’s stories to be false until finding out otherwise. Her new classmates then realize their own lives are just as exciting as Gooney Bird’s, in their own way.
"It’s about storytelling," Lawson said, "and expressing yourself in an entertaining way."
This is Lawson’s 28th year of teaching, entertaining and inspiring students at UCHS.
"We have former students working all over the country with skills they picked up here and several that are here now have plans of pursuing the arts," he said.
"The Union County High School theatre program provides exceptional training in theatre arts," said Boogaloo Folk Life Theatre playwritght-in-residence Betsy Trakas who also is the school district’s instructional facilitator. "Studies have proven that students who participate in the arts tend to excel in academics."
Lawson said local support is vital to UCHS Drama Department productions.
"We appreciate the community supporting our program and what we do," he said. "That support is what inspires students to continue working in the arts."
The drama department will present its shows Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11-12 beginning at 7 p.m. in the UCHS cafetorium. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at Union County Arts Council or at Union County High School for what is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Union County High School Drama Department presents:
“Gooney Bird Greene and Her True Life Adventures!”
by Kent R. Brown Based on the book by Lois Lowry
When: Friday and Saturday, Dec 11-12
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Cost: $5 in advance, $6 at the door
Where: Union County High School cafetorium
Advance tickets: Union County Arts Council or Union County High School
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