For the first time in eight years, Waterloo Junior and Senior High School in Atwater has a theater program — all thanks to community support, parent and teacher volunteers and a passionate mother who, as she admits, doesn’t really like musicals.
That mother, Kellyann Wiles, had the hopes of bringing a drama organization to the student body at the beginning of the academic year to better connect the community and bring out student confidence.
Now, she is the school’s theater director, and a cast of about 20 students is set to perform its first shows in May.
“Theater is an excellent program that helps bring a school together,” Wiles said. “I came from Tuscarawas Valley, which has an excellent theater program, and it was such a big deal to both the school and the community. I felt sad that we didn’t have that to tie us together here. Plus, it really helps kids develop the ability to speak in public, to stand up in front of people, to take a few of those risks.”
After support from the superintendent and board approval, a sign-up sheet was printed, and the theater program began around the beginning of the school year.
The group will perform “Matilda the Musical,” a work adapted from the book “Matilda” by Roald Dahl. Performances will take place May 9 and 10 in the Waterloo Elementary School cafetorium at 1464 Industry Rd. in Atwater. The musical follows a 5-year-old named Matilda Wormwood, who goes through school and quirky life experiences while having the power of telekinesis.
Students said the rehearsal process has been fun, and the new program has allowed them to step out of their comfort zone, meet new friends and showcase their talents.
“I was really shy before this, but now I’m outgoing,” said Brooke Densmore, a freshman playing Matilda’s teacher named Miss Honey. “I have a lot more friends because of theater. I wasn’t really into acting, because I wasn’t really that outgoing, but I love singing — everyone I know has always told me that I should do choir or something like that.”
Densmore, along with sophomores Suri Chang and Cole Yeager, said they were each interested in singing or musicals in some way before joining the school’s theater cast. Yeager and Chang love “Heathers: The Musical,” which is an adaptation of the “Heathers” movie, while Densmore likes movie musicals like “High School Musical” and “The Greatest Showman.”
When Yeager, who plays Matilda’s classmate Bruce Bogtrotter, heard a drama program was coming to his school, he said he jumped on the opportunity.
“I went home, and I told my dad, ‘I’m doing theater,’” Yeager said. “‘I’m doing it. I’m signing up.’”
In her first months as theater director, Wiles said she has learned many things in her new gig, like how to apply for Broadway play licensing and how to fundraise.
The casting process has also been a happy learning curve, too.
“I had an idea in mind for who was going to be in which role, and that completely changed once they auditioned, because their talents were so different from what I pictured,” Wiles said. “We’ve even done some role shifting, since I’ve had a lot of backstage come forward and decide they want to do parts. It’s so fun to see who the kids are that they don’t show you right away.”
As a recent transfer student to Waterloo, Chang said she found out a lot about herself during her time with the theater program. She is taking on the role of Miss Trunchbull, the headmistress of Matilda’s school who hates children.
“It’s been pretty fun,” Chang said. “I made a ton of new friends. I’ve always been into singing, but now I want to actually sing in front of the audience.”
Wiles said Yeager’s family has also provided fantastic support since the start of the program, and help from faculty, parents and the community has also been awesome. Sarchione Chevrolet, Bisirri Excavating and Wittensoldner Realty donated a total of $1,000, and the Mogadore VFW also gave $1,000.
The program is continuing to fundraise for working lights, and props are a hodgepodge, Wiles said. She provides much of the items, while posters, programs and technical help comes from school members. Sets are built by helpful parents. Wiles’ husband, Zachary, is a teacher at the high school and also volunteers.
Paintings featured in the musical are done by various students, and Wiles said she would love to get students and faculty involved in engineering at the school to help build props in future productions.
Waterloo Local Schools Superintendent Joe Clark said the school hopes this is just the start of a long-lasting tradition.
“The arts play a vital role in a well-rounded education, and a thriving theater program provides students with opportunities for creativity, teamwork and personal growth,” he said. “It fosters confidence, public speaking skills and problem-solving abilities — skills that benefit students far beyond the stage. The theater program strengthens our school community, giving students another avenue to connect, collaborate and showcase their talents.”
