St. Mary's students discuss acting, confidence

School News

Related Photos

Local actors and St. Mary Catholic School students Carson Markle (left) and Suzanne Schmitz are in the cast of the upcoming one-act play “Livin’ de Life,” a comedy based on the “Brer Rabbit” series. The show’s premiere is 7 p.m. April 4 at State Theater in Gainesville. Courtesy photo

Guest Book

Sign Our Guest Book

April 3, 2011

By GREG RUSSELL, Register Staff Writer Gainesville Daily Register The Daily Register Sun Apr 03, 2011, 10:55 AM CDT

Gainesville —

A group of acting students at St. Mary’s Catholic School don’t expect fame, but their efforts have already brought another benefit. Pretending to be unreal people gives them more confidence around the real ones. “I get pretty nervous,” said student Shane Hartman, set to play Brer Rabbit in “Livin’ de Life,” a one-act play premiering 7 p.m. April 4 at State Theater. “But once you get out there you calm down and you’re okay, and then you just enjoy yourself.” The upcoming show — a comedy that pits the rabbit against foes Brer Fox and Brer Bear — isn’t the first acting experience for the students, who do this as an extracurricular activity. For some of them, it’s the latest in a string. Carson Markle, who plays two characters including the fox, is being directed by mother Sonia and has a local theater history that goes back a decade. He said he doesn’t plan to pursue acting professionally and enjoys some roles more than others, but does have one tip for anyone else considering the craft, and it comes down to certainty. “Don’t panic on stage,” he said. “Just stay in your character and you should be good.” Student Suzanne Schmitz plays Brer Bear and was straightforward about how acting brought her out of her shell. “My character is a bear, really dumb and fat,” she said. “I probably wouldn’t have been able to do it a few years ago. But after doing a couple plays, it made me more comfortable on stage. It’s easier being stupid and not getting too embarrassed.” The show also will be part of a one-act play competition set for April 9 at Liberty Christian School. Positive public feedback is great, though principal Karen Lee, talking to the class, admitted none of them have illusions of future stardom. “Are any of you going to be an Academy Award winner? Probably not,” she said to them. “But what has it gained for you? The self-confidence of being able to stand in front of people.” Teacher Sonja Swirczynski said even if these kids don’t pursue acting in high school and beyond, the current experience has had its positive effects. She cited Schmitz, who, as a younger sixth-grader, having never acted, would have still been too shy to be vocal in class. Something fixed that and it may have been the theater. “That’s our hope, that we’ve given them a feeling of what it’s like,” Swirczynski said. “I’ve seen such a change in the students who do this. They become more sure of themselves.” Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children. For more information, call 940-668-7898.

Text Only

School News

It's a weld off
Student welders were recognized and awards were handed out at
Wednesday’s Spring 2012 “Weld Off” ceremony at North Central Texas
College.

May 18, 2012 1 Photo
GMS starts Chess Club
There are a variety of new clubs and organizations at Gainesville Middle School to expand the minds of these young students and the GMS Chess Club is doing just that.

January 3, 2012
Lee students learn at Leeper Lake
The Gainesville Independent School District Foundation funded an opportunity for 225 fifth-grade students at Robert E. Lee Intermediate School to spend one day at Leeper Lake, which provided each student with an outdoor learning environment to enhance the information taught in the classroom.

October 30, 2011 1 Photo
Glancy moves from GMS to top position at high school
The 2011-12 school year is set to begin Monday and students will find changes as they begin school at Gainesville High School.

August 19, 2011 1 Photo
GISD to offer summer food program
For years, the Gainesville Independent School District has had a summer program that helps feed low-income children of the area while school is not in session. This summer will be no exception.

May 22, 2011
White, Davidson named Valley View’s top students
Valley View High School Class of 2011 valedictorian Lindsey White said she was a highly shy freshman but soon found a cure.

May 19, 2011 1 Photo
GISD’s ‘shining stars’ honored
The Gainesville Independent School District Education Foundation hosted one of the organization’s favorite events Monday.

May 10, 2011 1 Photo
Spotlight on GISD Board of Trustees candidates
The Register contacted the seven local citizens running for the Gainesville Independent School Board to get their answers to five questions to give voters a chance to get to know each candidate and where they stand on certain issues. Their responses are below. Candidates Larry Hennesy and Will Presson did not respond.

May 1, 2011
Lee students honor war heroes
During a visit to Lee Intermediate School Friday afternoon, Medal of Honor recipients took the question of why soldiers never smile in their photos.

April 10, 2011
GHS students hear from MOH recipients
When Hershel “Woody" Williams found out he’d been awarded the Medal of Honor, he said he didn’t even know what it was.

April 7, 2011 1 Photo
More School News Headlines

Who do you think will win the Republican nomination for President?

School News

Search Results

Related Photos

Guest Book

St. Mary's students discuss acting, confidence

Who do you think will win the Republican nomination for President?

Site Map

Contact Us