Director returns to lead high school theater season opener

EducationArt

Oct 27

Written By Staff

Photo courtesy of Mona Shores High School

The Mona Shores High School Players are launching their new season with laughter, mystery, and a familiar face at the helm. Veteran educator and director Julie Baker has returned to lead the student theater program and will direct Clue: On Stage. Performances are scheduled for Thursday, November 6, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 8, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Mona Shores High School Performing Arts Center.

Baker, who has taught Speech, Drama, and Stagecraft at Mona Shores High School since 1999, previously directed productions such as Harvey, The Importance of Being Earnest, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. From 2000 to 2008, she led many full-scale productions—including Alice in Wonderland while nearly eight months pregnant—and continued contributing behind the scenes after stepping away from full-time directing.

Throughout her time away from the director’s chair, she remained deeply involved in theater education, guiding one-act plays with her Drama class and designing sets with her Stagecraft students. With the upcoming retirement of longtime colleague and co-advisor Mr. Martin, Baker knew this was the year to return to Players and lead a new generation of student performers.

“After taking time to raise my two boys, who are now teens, I jumped at this incredible opportunity to get back to doing what I love,” said Baker, who holds degrees in Theater Education and Communications from Ball State and Grand Valley State. “It’s thrilling to return and work with this generation of students. They’ve been working tirelessly—mastering blocking, memorizing lines, and developing unforgettable characters—to bring this laugh-out-loud comedy to life. We hope everyone comes out to support this talented cast and crew.”

The Mona Shores Players program provides students with hands-on experience in all areas of theater production, from acting and directing to lighting, sound, costumes, set construction, and stage management. The fall production is a collaborative effort, supported by Players alumnus Sebastian Barnett as stage combat coach, Auditorium Manager and Technical Director Trent Klairter, and piano accompanist JaiLynn Petrie, who will perform live on stage.

Tickets start at just $10 and can be conveniently purchased online at https://monashoresplayers.ludus.com/200496446. The show contains some adult humor and is recommended for middle school age and older.

West Michigan Newspop Digital Partners