Manchester Thespian Society to present “An Evening with Poe”

During rehearsal last Monday, Madison Katke as Ethan Powell tries to calm her old friend Roderick Usher played by Evan Thompson, as he becomes more and more emotional.

After a year and a half of cancellations and virtual performances, the high school drama club known as the Manchester Thespian Society presents “An Evening with Poe” live on the stage with an in-person audience!

Thespian Society president, Miranda Buck, explained that an Evening with Poe is made up of plays based on two Edgar Allen Poe poems, “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and will feature seventh through twelfth-graders, both on the stage and behind the scenes. She added that there will be an intermission between the two plays.

The public is invited to come watch An Evening with Poe on Friday, November 19 at 7 pm, Saturday, November 20 at 7 pm, and Sunday, November 21 at 2 pm at the Manchester Jr./Sr. High School auditorium, 20500 Dutch Drive. Tickets will be available at the door for $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. By Washtenaw County Health Department mandate, masks are required for audience members.

The Fall of the House of Usher features Evan Thompson, Madison Katke, Kayla Thornson, Danielle Blumenstein, Spenser Swanson, and Skyler Dennis. The Tell-Tale Heart features Steven White, Amanda Heiber, Brooke Nord, Jase Punches, Peter Cocco, Natalie Zimmer, and Emce Blumenstein. Students involved in crew include Miranda Buck and Carter Gallinat as stage managers, Miranda Austin in charge of lights, Samuel Adams in charge of sound, Peter Cocco in charge of props, Emma Paxton in charge of costumes, and Katelyn Simpson in charge of hair and makeup.

The plays are directed by Michelle Shrewsbury and produced by Jared Throneberry. Andy Galicki is serving as technical director and Mark West is the set designer and builder.

Come out and support the High School drama program, while enjoying student renditions of two spine-chilling masterpieces!

It's all hands on deck as cast members help with the painting.

Madison Katke practices the intro to the Fall of the House of Usher as the crew work on the student-built set.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.