The first play performed at the new Tippecanoe Valley High School auditorium will be “Circus Olympus.” Shows are 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Rehearsing a scene are from left Zaiden Gothan, Jacob Hayes, Bryson Severns and Kaien Fields.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — Tippecanoe Valley High School students are presenting their first play in the school’s new auditorium this week.

The TVHS Theater Department will put on “Circus Olympus” by Lindsay Price at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Doors open a half hour before each performance.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $2 for students and may be purchased at the door or at tvtheater.ludus.com.

TVHS Director of Vocal Music and Theater Arts Thomas Boys said he chose “Circus Olympus” for the fall play “because it (involves) many different ages and experience levels (allowing students to) have the experience of performing in the new auditorium.”

He added he hoped the “experience (inspires) the mostly younger cast to continue on learning about the theater arts.”

The play is a comedy telling the stories of multiple Greek myths. Forty-three students are in the cast and crew.

Boys said he hoped the students involved gain “a sense of how much commitment is involved” from being in a play.

“It can be very time-consuming, and most students don’t know how much time it takes to do something like this … and do it well,” he said. “I also hope students get a good feeling of satisfaction and will be inspired to continue learning the art of acting.”

Boys said he wanted the audience to enjoy “the many comedic lines and different character personalities.”

“This is a learning year for both this young cast and crew,” he said. “With the new sound and light technology in the auditorium, there is a large learning curve presented to all of us as we navigate all the new features and functions. By the time we get to the spring musical, I am confident we’ll be hitting our stride with all the tech.

“I hope people come to just relax and enjoy these crazy kids doing what they love and will leave with a sense that great things are happening at TVHS!” Boys added.

‘Circus Olympus’ Cast List

Merve — Olliver Pettit

Ishy —  Cassie Rich

Osina — Hailee Norman

Manso/Zeus — Tobiah Lipsey

Vigit — Karlee Harshman

Demeter — Jordan Strayer

Persephone — Kaitlyn Eastgate

Hades/Epimetheus — Kodiak Hillen

Aphrodite — Bella Jones

Athena — Tessa Rich

Hera — Sarah Farley

Helios — Makayla Murphy

Echo One — Sophia Jackson

Echo Two — Leah Shepherd

Hermes — David Walker

Medusa — Lily Hyde

Perseus — Jacob Kiefer

Polydectes — Everest Lipsey

Enyo — William Cunningham

Deino/Guard 1 — Zaiden Gothan

Pemphredo/Guard 2 — Jacob Hayes

Danae — Guadalupe Jimenez-Baca

Hope — Kloie Leal

Townsperson 1 — Caitlyn Farley

Townsperson 2 — Isabella Jurado

Townsperson 3 — Macy Sweeny

Arachne — Gracelynn Sloan

Ibron — Lillian DeBoard

Damara — Bailey Senesac

Midas — Kaien Fields

Penelope — Kaitlyn Eastgate

Silenus — Bryson Severns

Prometheus — Karsen Putman

Pandora — Evelin Jimenez-Baca