Debate, the fall musical and the spring play are all thespian themed activities offered at De Soto High School. However, a new activity is entering the stage.
DHS will soon be offering improvisational theater as a school activity. Improv is a style of comedy that focuses mainly on skits and games that require the performer to improvise to make the game or skit enjoyable or funny for the audience.
Last year, there were several improv workshops to help students interested in improv start a team. A team was formed last year, but they did not have a sponsor and thus could not practice on school grounds. This year, the team will be sponsored by Jason Hagg, the drama teacher.
“My job is basically to facilitate improv in regards to making sure they have a team, finding some high school improv competitions in the area and making sure that they are doing things right,” Hagg said.
This is Hagg’s first year teaching at DHS, and he has taught drama for seven years. He says that one of the challenges the team will have to face is working around his schedule to make sure he is there for the team when it needs him so that he can keep the team on the right track.
Junior Rex Templin has helped the team get off the ground and find a sponsor. However, Templin does want to try and change some things up for this year.
“I imagine that this year we will be more focused on doing games that are applicable to the Kansas Thespians Society, so we can take things to contests,” Templin said.
Templin says that in order for the team to get off the ground and be successful it needs to have members who are committed.
With the addition of a new activity, the list of optional extracurricular activities gets another option for students to choose from.