RHS Drama: More than Just a Club

Jun 5, 2010 | 2010 Articles, Contributors, Education, Jacob Alvarado, Reedley News, Teens

Reedley High School performed Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory this spring. We’ve included some wonderful photos from that great show with this remembrance from the actor who played Charlie, Jacob Alvarado, of his time being involved with RHS Drama. There are also a few photos of other shows that Jacob has been involved in through the years such as Annie Get Your Gun, Virgil’s Wedding and a special Christmas Cabaret.

Life is a show, and theatre is the breath that we actors need to live. For teenagers at Reedley High School, the PAT (Performing Arts Theatre) is a place where we are transported to a world of make-believe. The RHS Drama Club is always surprising us with great shows. The high school just finished a run of Willy Wonka, based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the beloved children’s book that showed us how to use pure imagination to make our dreams come true.

Charlie, played by Jacob, finds a Golden Ticket

The arts have always been a highlight of my time at Reedley High School. Doing drama in high school has changed so many people’s lives. I know it has changed mine. The plays have given me a reason to shine and let my talents be shown. It’s like we have a miniature Broadway just downtown. I hope to see many more brilliant shows on the PAT stage in the future.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Cast List:

Willy Wonka/Candy Man — James Tasy

Charlie Bucket — Jacob Alvarado

Mrs. Jopeck/Factory Worker — Erika Candelas

Mrs. Bucket — Stacie Hall

Grandpa Joe — Jesus Chapa

Grandma Josephine — Jesikah Chafa

Grandma Georgina — Megan Turner

Reporter — Michael Angel

Augustus Gloop — James Clark

Mrs. Gloop — Samatha McMilin

Slugworth — Nate Sano

Veruca Salt — Jessica Ham

Mr. Salt — Christopher Santos

Mike TeaVee — D.J. Reimer

Ms. TeaVee — Gloria Garcia

Violet Beauregarde — Courtney Jones

Mr. Beauregarde — Jeff Lusk

The Reedley High Drama Club has been going strong since 1986, when RHS finally offered a drama class after petitions and the previous year’s student production of Guys and Dolls.

Jacob Alvarado is 18 years old and a contributor to our Teen Talk section, bringing us an inside look at local theatre due to his love of performing.