Picture Butte High School students present annual spring production May 13-15

Sunny South News Photo Submitted by Mark Ogle. SPRING PRODUCTION: Rehearsing a scene from Picture Butte High School’s spring production, a comedy called “This is Your Brain on Social Media!” are Damien Isfeld (standing) and Gavin Johnson. The one act play runs from May 13-15, at 7 p.m. at Picture Butte High School.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

The curtain will rise soon on Picture Butte High School’s annual spring production.  
This year’s show is a light-hearted comedy entitled “This is Your Brain on Social Media!” The one act play runs for three evenings from May 13-15, starting at 7 p.m. at Picture Butte High School.   

“I wanted a play that was able to showcase individual kids,” said humanities teacher and director, Mark Ogle, noting the play has about 14 different scenes with high and junior high students participating. “I decided to give my high school kids bigger roles so they can earn credits from this as well because we’re doing this as a class. Then anybody in Grade 7, 8 and 9 get exposure and they get the experience of being on stage.” 

About 21 students in Grades 7 to 12 are in the spring production this year, one that Ogle says is “campy, silly and fun” but also shares a message about the impact social media has in the world today. 

“The characters in the show start to question and ask is social media actually really bad,” he said. “We see things in the show that (social media) is distracting and it has incidents making fun of it, but it also asks the question is there actually anything good about social media too.”      

Picture Butte High School has been presenting a variety of spring drama productions for several years and this year, there are contributions from other classes including the school’s shop class and art class, who helped design and paint several props for the production. 

Ogle noted how each production is more student-lead with rehearsals three to four times a week as a class during the second semester, starting at the end of January.  

“I like to pick shows that aren’t well known,” said Ogle, noting he often chooses comedies and productions that are well suited student’s acting level. “I find it suits the needs of the students and with the tech elements we need, I try to keep it as simple as we can and let the kids really stand out and let the kids have fun,” explained Ogle. 

He pointed out some of the feedback from the students and noted the level of creativity and growth he has seen from them over the past few weeks, both in the classroom and on stage.  

“They’re really enjoying the show. It’s really funny, it gives them a chance to be silly but also gives the ability for kids to challenge themselves and the courage to get up on stage is super important,” said Ogle. “It’s amazing to see.”  

Tickets can be purchased by donation with proceeds going towards the Picture Butte High School’s Fine Arts Program.