Lead Ella Grote, left, playing the character of Ms. Rexrode, a high school assistant principal in search of a new librarian, interviews Lauren Frush in the role of Ms. Harrison as part of the production “Caution: Librarians Ahead” performed last Saturday, Nov. 11 in Union High School’s Matt Auditorium. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – High school thespians took to the Matt Auditorium stage last Friday and Saturday evenings as part of the Union High School Drama Department’s fall production of Open Interviews.

Under the direction of teacher Stephanie Sauer, a small, tight-knit group of students performed the comedies “Please Don’t Be My Drama Teacher” and “Caution: Librarians Ahead” by playwright Bradley Walton.

Both plays featured a quick succession of short scenes between an interviewer and a wholly unqualified job candidate which led to countless moments of levity that got the audience laughing.

The first play centered around the search for a new high school drama teacher with interviews conducted by the drama club’s student co-presidents – played by leads Erica Hoppe and Lauren Frush.

The second play had a similar plot involving two assistant principals – played by leads Ellie Burns and Ella Grote – searching for a new high school librarian.

Lead Erica Hoppe, right, playing the character of drama club co-president Michelle interviews Ella Grote in the role of Ms. Newman – an English teacher who loves Shakespeare – as part of the production “Please Don’t Be My Drama Teacher” performed last Saturday, Nov. 11 in Union High School’s Matt Auditorium. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The cast appeared to thoroughly enjoy taking on so many different roles and did so with skill.

In addition to Sauer’s direction, teacher Korina Carlson provided tech direction/lights and sound, Taryn Ambrose worked backstage, and Brigitte Rohrer provided hair and makeup.

Union’s spring musical will take place on March 8-9, 2024, with auditions set for next month on Dec. 18 and 19.

Lead Lauren Frush, left, playing the role of drama club co-president Paula interviews Kyra Murray playing Ms. Wallis – a tech teacher who seems to know little about tech – as part of the production “Please Don’t Be My Drama Teacher” last Saturday, Nov. 11 in Union High School’s Matt Auditorium. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Kyra Murray, left, in the role of Ms. Wallis speaks to Erica Hoppe playing the character of drama club co-president Michelle during Union High School Drama Dept.’s production of “Please Don’t Be My Drama Teacher” last Saturday, Nov. 11 on the Matt Auditorium stage. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Lead Lauren Frush, left, playing the role of drama club co-president Paula interviews Michael Reel playing Mr. Keaton – an athletic type with no interest in plays or drama – as part of the production “Please Don’t Be My Drama Teacher” performed last Saturday, Nov. 11 in Union High School’s Matt Auditorium. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Lead Erica Hoppe, right, playing the character of drama club co-president Michelle interviews Adalynn Engel in the role of Ms. Lewis as part of the production “Please Don’t Be My Drama Teacher” performed last Saturday, Nov. 11 in Union High School’s Matt Auditorium. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Ellie Burns, right, in the role of Ms. Dooley, a chemistry teacher, speaks to Lauren Frush playing the character of drama club co-president Paula during Union High School Drama Dept.’s production of “Please Don’t Be My Drama Teacher” last Saturday, Nov. 11 on the Matt Auditorium stage. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Lead Erica Hoppe, right, playing the character of drama club co-president Michelle interviews Adalynn Engel in the role of Ms. Fogelman, a history teacher, as part of the production “Please Don’t Be My Drama Teacher” performed last Saturday, Nov. 11 in Union High School’s Matt Auditorium. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Lead Ellie Burns, right, playing the character of Ms. Thomas, a high school assistant principal searching for a new librarian, interviews Lauren Frush in the role of Ms. Vandorin as part of the production “Caution: Librarians Ahead” performed last Saturday, Nov. 11 in Union High School’s Matt Auditorium. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Lead Ella Grote, left, playing the character of Ms. Rexrode – one of two assistant principals searching for a new librarian – interviews Jersey Siech in the role of Ms. Bridges as part of the production “Caution: Librarians Ahead” performed last Saturday, Nov. 11 in Union High School’s Matt Auditorium. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Kyra Murray, left, stands on stage at Matt Auditorium while playing the role of Ms. Stone in a scene with lead Ellie Burns in the role of Ms. Thomas, one of two assistant principals searching for a new librarian, as part of the production “Caution: Librarians Ahead” performed last Saturday, Nov. 11 at Union High School in La Porte City. PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTOS BY SOREN M. PETERSON & RUBY F. MCALLISTER