Chinook High School drama production back on stage

By Ry Clark - for the Lethbridge Herald on March 19, 2022.

Herald photo by Ry Clark Chinook Highschool's spring production of U-R-U features a collection of students performing live onstage for the first time in 2 years.

Chinook High School is presenting its spring production of U-R-U to the community starting on Tuesday. Directed by Erica Barr, U-R-U is a comedy about humanity and our obsession with progress at all costs. The show runs from March 22 Р26, with showings nightly at 7 p.m. and a matin̩e on Saturday at 2 p.m.
“This is our first time live, back in person, which we are thrilled about. And the kids are very nervous and excited about it,” said director Erica Barr, who has been working with students to put the piece together. “It’s been two years, so some of them have never had any experience on stage or doing anything because they were in middle school before that, and maybe they weren’t involved.”
U-R-U takes audiences to a sci-fi world of robots and science experiments. Following heroine Helen Spectacular, the audience is transported on a journey to help free the robots and show audiences just how much value we are willing to sacrifice for the end result. With love triangles and robot revolutions, U-R-U has something for everyone in the family along with plenty of laughs.
“It’s crazy to think now we’re going on stage on Tuesday. It’s kind of crazy to comprehend,” said Veronica De La Garza, whose personality will have audiences snickering with every line. Reid Dcillia works backstage on the show, saying it has been a great experience for handling the uncertain. “We had to assemble a tech team, get a running crew and put it all together in the span of about three, four months. So, for sure a challenge, but I think it definitely paid off.”
Emmy Mendell stars as the play’s protagonist, Helen Spectacular, and feels the performance built a strong community with her peers.
“The community that has been built is amazing. And especially after those two years of not being able to perform and not being able to watch live theater, this is a great show to open it back up.”
Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for students/kids under 18 and can be purchased through SchoolCash online through Chinook High’s website or cash at the door.