Despite efforts to rid Neuqua Valley of cliques, they still exist: and including to students, are widespread. Especially prevalent in Theatre, cliques are maintaining their hold on the student population. According to Conor Casey, Junior, there are exclusive groups within the cliques as well. “You have the actors versus the light techies, and the light techies versus the backstage techies,” says Casey “and then there are all the cliques between actors themselves. Even the theatre teachers are cliquey.”
Although theatre teachers try their best not to choose favorites, students still insist that auditions are a playing field for politics. In fact, many students feel that the directors already have an idea about who exactly is going to be cast even before they enter the audition room.
Contrary to the students’ beliefs, Mr. Smith, English teacher and Director, said, “No, I do not let ideas about actors effect my choices, any of the actors can tell you that.”
Cliques are also observed within the cast. “When we are sitting and eating during Aladdin, there are three separate groups of kids, eating in different places” said Sophomore Anna Dvorchak. In addition Dvorchak says she has experienced “exclusion because I was a freshman” during the musical last spring. When asked if he has experienced cliques among students in theatre, Mr. Smith said “Yes, are you kidding?” However, he is determined to keep the cast focused on theatre. “I won’t allow cliques to negatively affect the show,” said Smith “But they could, and apparently they have before.”
Most recently, students have complained about the past two fall plays which feature a cast of only ten to twelve students. “It’s not fair to have a small cast in such a huge school,” says Casey “It’s all about competition, and these cliques enforce the competition.”
Fortunately, Neuqua offers several other productions that include more students who are interested in drama. For students who do not fit into the theatre group, they can find solace in the Speech Team and Drama Club. Both of these groups offer a dramatic outlet for students who are interested in performance, but just are not suited for main stage theatre productions.
Anna Miller, Staff Writer
