by Jessica Kelly | Apr 1, 2019 | Athletics & Activities, News
The Drowsy Chaperone is a parody of the American musical comedy of the 1920s. The story concerns a middle-aged, asocial musical theatre fan (Played by Josh Zielke); as he plays the record of his favorite musical, the 1928 hit The Drowsy Chaperone, the show comes to life onstage as he wryly comments on the music, story, and actors. The plot of the show-within-a-show centers on Janet Van De Graaff (Played by Emma Brockman), a showgirl who plans to give up her career in order to marry an oil tycoon, Robert Martin (Played by Calvin Carmony). However, Janet is the star of “Feldzieg’s Follies”, and a lot of money is riding on her name to sell the show; and Feldzieg, her producer (Played by Eric Ramos), is being threatened with bodily harm by two gangsters (Played by Charlie Jazwiecki and Brandon Balke) employed by his chief investor.
Add in a Latin lover (Played by Ian Frisch), stressed out best man (Played by Winston Krueger), and an aviatrix (Mara Pivas), and you have a recipe for complete pandemonium. The resulting mayhem includes mistaken identities, dream sequences, spit takes, a deus ex machina. It also features an unflappable English butler (Played by Bill Le), an absent-minded dowager (Played by Madeline Susedik), a ditzy chorine (Played by Maddie Schultz), and Janet’s “Drowsy” (i.e. “Tipsy”) Chaperone, played in the show-within-a-show by a blowzy Grande Dame of the Stage, specializing in “rousing anthems” (Played by Mary Ramsden).
For the very first time, you can see a preview of the show by signing up for Ms. Schlechts Goldblock Thursday, April 4th. Shows are This Friday and Saturday, April 5th and 6th, at 7:00 and Sunday at 2:00. Next weekend shows are Friday and Saturday, April 12th and 13th at 7:00. Come see the show! Make sure to buy tickets on the Franklin Saber Center webpage linked here. Ticket Prices are 10$ for adults, 8$ for students, and 6$ for seniors. Online ticket sales will terminate three hours before each performance. The Box Office will be open on evenings for pre-show ticket sales. The $1.00/ticket online service charge does not apply to Box Office walk-up ticket sales.
BOX OFFICE EVENING HOURS:
Mon. 04/01/19 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Tues. 04/02/19 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Weds. 04/03/19 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thurs. 04/04/19 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Weds. 04/10/19 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Thurs. 04/11/19 – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Box Office will also be open one hour prior to each performance for walk-up ticket sales.
by Saber Slate | Mar 13, 2019 | Art, Athletics & Activities
As you might have heard on the announcements on March 11th, Visual Arts Team brought home 3 trophies to Franklin High this weekend, and over 5 people are making it to the state tournament!
“Wait a second,” you might be thinking, “Never in my life have I heard of Visual Arts Club.”
And that’s perfectly okay! Visual Arts Club is a team of artists led by Mrs. Bausch that have entered in the annual Visual Arts Classic competition held at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. Each artist belongs to a sector of creativity – some are tasked with drawing a piece, others paint, others build sculptures out of toothpicks and glue. All of the artists must conform to a theme that changes every year, 2019’s being “simplicity”.
Visual Arts Team has been preparing quietly since January for regionals at Cardinal Stritch. Since then, they’ve been researching artists for the quiz bowl and creating long term pieces to enter into the competition.
Upon arrival at Cardinal Stritch, all artists from Franklin and the other schools are divided by their creative sectors and begin to work on an on-site piece that will also be judged at the competition. Continually, each team also has to be able to work together to answer questions about artists and think critically in the form of a skit. This year’s prompt was “create a promo for a well-known sitcom that features artists”.
Visual Arts Team came in second for the quiz bowl (a major improvement from previous years). Held in the school’s auditorium, they answered several questions about artists like Georges Seurat and Yasujiro Ozu, default-dancing every single time they got a question right, and also answering that Grandma Moses’ real name is “G-Ma Mo Mo” rather than Anna Mary Robertson Moses (which, unfortunately, did not earn them the point).
They also came in second for critical thinking, for a gripping skit about Pokemon. Ash Matisse from Pallet Town travels out into the exciting world of Pokemon, fighting his first challenger Yasujiro Ozu with his three new Pokemon Georges Seurat (Special: Pointillism), Shoji Hamada (Special: Pottery Shards) and Mythical Pokemon Harriet Power (Special: Applique). Unfortunately, they lost to a slightly-less-gripping skit, a parody of Grey’s Anatomy.
And lastly, Franklin brought home 3rd overall for most wins within the team, with several people on the team due to go to Madison for state in April, for all kinds of media – from drawing to video production. Please continue to cheer them on as they continue to compete!
Congratulations Visual Arts! Keep on making Franklin Proud!
by Saber Slate | Mar 13, 2019 | Athletics & Activities
What is WSMA?
WSMA is the Wisconsin State Musical Association. Every year, they host the Solo and Ensemble event. Students from over the state attend the event at the designated high school (this year, it’s at St. Francis High School). Students are required to select a piece to perform at the event. Their performance at the event is to be judged by professional and authorized judges who are experienced in the field of the musical arts.
Before the event takes place, students must select a piece to perform, be it a solo, duet, or ensemble. There are two different classes of music to choose from, each depending on each band members’ playing ability. Class A is for the more experienced student, who is willing to work more to perfect the song. Class B is for the less experienced student who is looking for an easier piece to start with.
Students are given the opportunity to practice their solo/ensemble piece during designated class time. Over the course of these weeks, students are required to submit their weekly goals via Google Classroom. This also tracks their progress and what they need to do/need help with.
Students are also required to film recordings of themselves playing their solo to submit to Google Classroom so that the teacher is able to grade our abilities and know that we’re ready for the event. Band students are allowed to utilize the band room, orchestra room, as well as the nine practice rooms to work on their solo/ensemble piece. It’s hard work but well worth it to be able to learn your solo and be able to play it correctly and professionally.
Long term substitute band director Ms. Stein explains why WSMA is important. “It helps further the students’ capability to perform in front of someone. It’s something that pushes yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s really like an interview in that you are being judged for your abilities. Students don’t get this in a regular class. It also relates to life experiences and interviewing in the real world.”
I interviewed a fellow bandmate, Sarah, who also performed in front of a judge. “I performed a class B trio for clarinet. I think that it went very well. We practiced a lot beforehand. The judge was nice, and she basically told us what work we could do to improve. One of the things that she said was to work on our dynamics a bit more, like so our piano was more quiet.”
Thank you Sarah and Ms. Stein for answering my questions. WSMA is a big part of the year and it’s important to many students that they do a good job at this statewide event.
by Saber Slate | Dec 14, 2018 | Athletics & Activities
Democracy is the backbone of American government, and gives the American people the opportunity to directly choose the people that represent us in our houses of government. However, voter turnout is only at 60% of the population that can vote, and that’s only during years with a presidential election. During midterms, it’s 40%. Only 40% of the people that can vote are choosing who run the country, and many sources believe this is due to a lack of interest in younger voters.
The Political Science Club here at FHS aims to solve this problem, one voter at a time. It aims to inform people about various political topics with no bias, looking at both sides of every issue. It holds debates over different topics, with people speaking for each side of the issues brought up, and so much more.
I asked Grant Heminger, the student leader of the Political Science Club, about the club and what students could look forward to in the club.
What is the Political Science Club all about?
We, being myself and Mr Doucette, we kind of identified a lack of an educated and active Franklin voting community. Especially with midterms coming up so soon, the initial focus is really going to be heavy on making sure that people in the Franklin community – and hopefully that will disseminate as far as possible – understand the issues and to create an educated and active voting public more than anything.
What do you see a typical Political Science meeting looking like?
Early on, we’re going to be laying the framework for what we are, what political science is, and then how each member feels politically. That’s something that is going to be completely confidential if they choose. We are going to have a number of speakers, guest speakers, coming in on the docket, which is going to be pretty important. We locked down Mayor Steve Olson. He’s going to come in in a couple of weeks. Former Mayor Tommy Thompson was good friends with my Grandfather, so he’s coming. We’re trying. It’s a tough time for now, but both Mr. Doucette and I have some connections to Tammy Baldwin. We’re going to see if we can get her to come and speak, but no promises there…Everything is bipartisan. We are not going to try to push any agenda on anybody, we just want people to know, “Who is Tony Evers?”, “Who is Scott Walker?”, what have they done, how do they handle certain situations, et cetera, as well as “What is pre-existing conditions?”, “What is DACA reform?” There are a number of issues we think the Wisconsin voter should be aware of.
Anything else you’d like to say about the Political Science Club?
If you have any interest in politics, or you have any interest in learning more about politics in a fun and safe way, stop down to Mr. Doucette’s room after school on Tuesdays!
For more information on the activities of Franklin High School, look no further than the Saber Slate!
by Saber Slate | Nov 2, 2018 | Athletics & Activities
The leaves are changing colors, the air is getting chilly, sweaters are being unearthed from closets everywhere. Fall is here, no doubt; and the one other thing that falls brings to Franklin High? None other than the fall play, the event everyone’s been waiting for! This year’s play is titled The Woman Who Came to Dinner, a play adapted from the movie that premiered in 1942, The Man Who Came to Dinner.
In this play, we explore the life of arrogant and egotistical radio personality Sheridan Whiteside, who, while on a tour in Ohio, injures herself by slipping over ice and ultimately becoming an unexpected guest for the Stanley family. Then, she proceeds to add her two cents onto every aspect of their life (whether they want it or not), and comically interfering with a relationship with her assistant Maggie Cutler and a local reporter, Bert Jefferson.
“The play is a comedy for all ages,” says Mr. Nettesheim, one of the main directors for the play. “The kids are working really hard to put it together and they’re excited to perform in front of the community and the students.”
Mary Ramsden, who plays the role of Sheridan Whiteside, also encourages attendance. “It’s a truly funny play and the entire cast has put to many hours of work into the production. It will be a fun evening for anyone who goes.”
Please be sure to go and see this play! Not only is it a fantastic way to spend an evening with family, friends, or even just by yourself, it’s an excellent way to support the school, as well as (or should we say, especially!) the fantastic members of the cast and crew. They’ll be so thankful you came! Please be there to provide them with a fantastic audience to guarantee fruits for their labor.
***You can view ticket information here!***
Hurry! The play premieres November 7, 2018! Get the seats while they’re available – tickets are limited!
Please consider going to see the play!
by Saber Slate | Sep 28, 2018 | Athletics & Activities
Summer has come and gone, and now autumn has come to take its place. The changing of the seasons bring with them various seasonal tropes: Pumpkin Spice, flannel fashion, and of course: the intensity of marching band competitions. The marching band has been practicing and preparing for their competition season since the beginning of August, and what a season it has been. The band has already had their first competition performance at Mukwonago High School, where they made history by earning the highest score for any of their past opening weeks of competition. The Franklin Marching Band is in their fifth year of competing at the AAAA level of competition, and this season is poised to be their most successful yet. In the past two weeks alone, the band has had three rehearsals outside of class, not mention the work they put in during their ensemble’s class as well as weekly Gold Block rehearsals as well. They are all hardworking and dedicating so much time into these performances, and will continue to work hard throughout the rest of the season and in the coming seasons as well.
I recently got the chance to speak with Mrs. Umhoefer, the Band’s director, about the state of the marching band and how this year’s season compares to past seasons.
What is the theme of this year’s marching show?
“The 2018 marching show is ‘Written in the Stars,’ and it’s a really unique process and composition for us because we had it commissioned specifically for our school. We are working with an arranger named Alex Thode from the Milwaukee area, and he wrote this music specifically for our band. The concept itself is all things celestial and related to the Aurora Borealis and stars. The different components are When You Wish Upon a Star, our big impact opener. Then we have a contrast with a song called Hand of Fate: Part Two, from the movie signs, it’s more so just to change the character. The second movement is a medley of Moonlight Sonata, Clair de Lune, and a piece called Lux Aurumque, by Eric Whitacre, which means ‘Light and Gold.’ Then we close with a piece called Aurora Awakes, so all things looking up towards the sky.”
How has the competition season gone so far?
“We’ve had a fantastic start. At the Mukwonago Competition on September 15th, we took first in the AAAA division, we got our highest ever opening weekend score, and we took second overall in music and second overall in visual performance right behind the former state champions, so students are riding high after the opening weekend. We had a great homecoming week, and now we’re back into the competition season. We have three more shows at Greendale, Milton and State, and with how we’re looking, I think this could be our best season yet.”
Where and when is the next competition?
“Come join us this coming Saturday, September 29th! Our quote/unquote ‘home show’ is the closest show that we have. It is going to be at Greendale High School, we would love to have you join us in the stands! It’s a great evening, featuring 15+ marching bands from around the area, and it’s our third from last show.”
What can the rest of FHS do to support the marching band?
“A number of things. We love and appreciate so much the we’re a part of the fabric of FHS, and part of the culture. Whether it be at football games, appreciating our performance at halftime, listening attentively, cheering at the big moments that really move you, we’d love to have that support, to really be a part of that game day experience. Students are encouraged and welcome to join us at the ‘home show’ at Greendale on Saturday [September 29th] if they are able, just a few short miles North of where we are. And really just support and cheer on students throughout the competition season. We wrap up on October 13th, so wish your friends luck each weekend as we have a competition, And cheer us on as we have our best season yet!”
The marching band’s next performance will be at the Greenfield Marching Competition on Saturday, September 29th, at Greenfield High School. Come join the band for a night of music and fun and to help support your friends and fellow classmates as they march their hearts out on the field.
For further information about the marching band as well as many other school activities, look no further than the Saber Slate!
