Review by Timothy McCollum
The stage play “No Child...” by Nilaja Sun is very touching and heartfelt. Play Director and Messmer Music Teacher Mr. Greg Flattery chose this for the annual Fall Play, and believe it, the play was magical. The production captured the hearts of the audience, and could really have changed a lot of people’s outlooks on drama in the public schools.
Sophomore Ishmael Ali had a role in the show and described his feelings, "Opening night was very nerve-wracking for everyone except me. Honestly I feel anytime I’m on a stage I’m the only one on the stage. I have to be the center of attention. To do that I have to be calm and relaxed, so opening night I was very prepared and ready to go.”
When asked if there was any connection between himself and his character, Ishmael said, “Yes there are connections. My character Brian is a class clown so of course it was easy for me to relate. I wouldn’t say I’m a class clown, but I am very funny at times. So the fact that I was given that role was PERFECT!" He continued, "This play had a big effect on some students... some cried when the janitor died. My parents were the very proud for my achievement in this play, and that really made me appreciate my role a lot more." Ishmael did an amazing job in the play, and overcame many things to accomplish what he did.
Another actor who really took the stage by storm was Senior Radontae Ashford who did a fantastic job playing trouble-maker Jerome. When asked if there were any similarities between himself and Jerome, Radontae said, “There are huge similarities between me and my character...we are both troublemakers in the class room. I don’t like to admit it but I am a bit of a clown in class; I joke around with almost the whole class just as Jerome did in the play. I also have a short temper at times especially when a teacher tries to talk down to me. It causes me to react just like Jerome did in the play, the only difference is that I don’t throw chairs (ha-ha). Lastly just as Ms. Sun saw potential in Jerome, my teachers see potential in me.”
Radontae was asked how the director, Mr. Flattery, helped prepare him for the play. “One thing he told me was to make sure I memorize my lines because forgetting them on stage can be a tragic situation. He also told me to be comfortable on stage as if it were another music performance, this way I would be able to relax and just let my lines come to me. Lastly the best advice I think he gave me was to be myself. He told me that he gave me the role of Jerome because the way I am in real life fits the character so well.” Radontae also said, “When I was chosen to be in the play I was completely shocked because I’ve never done a play before. My acting skills were terrible in my opinion and I felt like I wouldn’t be able to memorize all the lines. I even told Mr. Flattery that I rather not do the play and to let someone else who can act play the role of Jerome, but with a little pep talk from [Drama Teacher] Ms. [Maripat] Wilkinson and Mr. Flattery, I had the confidence to take on the challenge of being in the play."
Mr. Flattery was also glad to see the turnout. “Usually, the plays don’t have many audience members, but this year the crowd really showed up. I believe the reason is because it was a play that connected with the population.” His goal is to have even more people attend in the future, and more students involved with theater. Mr. Flattery was asked if he thinks this play can open people eyes up about the power of drama, and he said, “Absolutely! I really think that it ended up being something the students connected with, and had them consistently asking when the next play was. So yes, it opened the eyes up to the students; seeing themselves doing a really good job showed them they can do anything.” The play's drama director character Ms. Sun would approve!
