So Much Drama!

I've edited the intro to this post enough times to know I can't possibly describe how amazing I find this next bit of news. So I'm just going to reprint the lead story on the Antioch Community High School website.

Best seller being adapted for ACHS performance


Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher's 2007 young adult novel that has spent 44 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller List, is coming to ACHS in November in the form of an original adaptation for the stage. Teachers Wanda Teddy and Audrey Nagel worked to write a script this summer along with a group of students.

The story follows high school student Clay Jensen as he listens to a series of recordings sent to him by classmate Hannah Baker, who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's messages take him on a journey through the people and events she describes.

Asher not only has given his permission for his book's adaptation, according to Teddy he is enthusiastic about students bringing his characters to life on stage. "He's looking forward to seeing what we're able to do," Teddy said.

The fine arts department plans to use the play as its entry in the Illinois High School Theatre Festival to be held in January. It hopes that this and future educational theater pieces will get audience members talking about the important issues the characters confront.

Teddy explained that the script is nearly complete and will take the audience past the novel's final chapter. Its 13 acts are expected to run 90 minutes in length. Auditions for the play's 21 characters begin next week, and the curtain goes up on November 12.