Chesley Pulda, the McCord Middle School drama club director, decided to change up her theatre schedule for the 2019-2020 school year. For former years, Pulda put on an annual musical that consisted of 7th and 8th graders. She stated, “This year seemed to be the right time to make a change. We are starting a new theatre schedule where we will have a musical on alternate years. To lessen the load a little bit we will just have a musical then the next year have Night of Broadway and a play. This year we have already performed Night of Broadway: Disney and this spring will perform Back to the 80s a full length play.”

Miss Pulda taught most of the students that perform in WKHS’ plays, which is the reason why taking away the musical could affect future Worthington Kilbourne actors. Even so, Pulda makes her decisions alongside similar teachers with theatre: “After talking and working closely with Ms. Thompson, Miss Koos, Mrs. Evans and Mr. Almanson, I decided ultimately to go to this new schedule. This year was a really difficult scheduling year for the HS stage and the main reason we perform a musical each year is due to the amazing help by Ms. Thompson, Mr. Buford and all of our previous students who are now in HS theatre. Without them, even with a different venue, it would have been near impossible to pull off.”

With all of the questions and concerns raised, Pulda does not agree. She believes this is a good decision and will not badly affect WKHS’ thespians: I do not think us going to this schedule will have negative effects on WKHS. We are still doing the same productions just spread out a little bit. Students are still going to experience different types of shows before going to HS. Having our musical this way we also have more flexibility with scheduling and can pick the best time of year for the HS as well as our students. So we might be able to have more students be involved in the musical than before.” As a closing thought, Chelsey states, “This is something that I have spent a long time thinking about and struggling with. It was not an easy decision at all and I talked with about everyone I know and teach with. I truly believe this is the best decision for me and my students.”