STAGE
THE MAIN
BY NICOLE TAFE
PETERS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL THESPIAN TROUPE 185 TAKES THE STAGE AT THE 2017 STATE CONFERENCE AT CENTRAL YORK HIGH SCHOOL IN YORK, PA.
Adam Chaplin and Nicholas Traficante in“ Daddy ' s Girl”.
Peters Township High School Thespian Troupe 185 opened the 2017 State Conference to a standing ovation. While the theater troupe has been attending the state conference for many years, this was the first time the troupe had applied and been chosen to perform a mainstage production— opening the conference with their performance of“ Daddy’ s Girl.”
The troupe is currently sponsored by Jeanie Cygrymus, 52, and wife of PTSD music teacher Ray Cygrymus. This is her third year as the troupe sponsor, she will direct her third PTHS play this spring and she will be joining her husband to help direct the high school’ s musical as Assistant Director.
The Peters Township High School Thespian Troupe 185 has a long history of excellence. It was founded in 1971 by former PTHS teacher Barry N. Wood. Troupe 185 celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2016. Its number 185 designates that it was the 185th High School Thespian Troupe to be established in the nation. It was the first in Pennsylvania.
“ For the past two state conferences, we’ ve taken One Act performances— both of which were directed by students,” says Cygrymus.“ After last year’ s conference, the students approached me asking to take a mainstage show. I knew it would be a huge undertaking, but the kids were so passionate about wanting to perform, that I knew I had to apply.”
In April of last year, the PA Thespians requested applications for those troupes interested in presenting a mainstage show.
Troupe 185 applied and found out shortly thereafter that they had been chosen to perform. Cygrymus held auditions before the end of the last school year, so the students could study their lines throughout the summer.
“ We have a wonderful Parent Backers group who helped immensely,” says Cygrymus.“ Not only through monetary help but also by supplying all the food for the show’ s set— a diner( sandwiches, pies, drinks, etc.) Families also allowed us to use furniture and items to decorate the diner with as well.”
Cygrymus and the students had several meetings to discuss what show to take to the state conference, and finally chose“ Daddy’ s Girl.” The show is a comedy about Benard Muloovy, proprietor of Maudie’ s Diner. Bernard gets served a full plate of comic chaos when his deceased wife, Maudie, takes up residence as a talking portrait on the diner wall hoping to reunite Benard with their long lost daughter, Elizabeth. With the help of a mischievous angel, things become more interesting when two Elizabeths arrive at the diner forcing Benard to decide which young woman is his real daughter. In this contest of laughter and tears, lines are drawn, sides are taken, and rules are broken as one young lady reveals a secret and ultimately claims her paternity, but not without a twist or two.
“ We thought it was something that would be well received by the students, and we agreed to present a show with which I was familiar— having directed it before,” says Cygrymus.“ We also chose‘ Daddy’ s Girl’ because it is a show with one set. The rules
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