Katie McDannald directs Triopia students in iconic Bradbury/Wainwright musical
By Maryjane Bradbury
“David, You, and I,” a musical theater production written by Ken Bradbury and Roger Wainwright, returns to the area after an 18-year hiatus. This beautiful story was last performed in 2007 in the Sophie Leschin building on the grounds of the former Jacksonville Developmental Center.
Katie McDannald returns to her alma mater, Triopia High School, to direct the show and shared, “I’m still finding new challenges to get excited about. I’m so incredibly blessed to have such a talented group of kids who trust my vision.”
Triopia High School sophomore Adam Krohe is making his stage debut this year. Krohe worked backstage running the lights for last year’s production of “Camp Sunshine,” also written by Bradbury and Wainwright. After assisting the show offstage, Krohe said, “Being in the play looked like a lot of fun so I tried out — and it is a lot of fun!”
Krohe observed, “I’ve learned how important those little things are that you don’t even think about when you watch a production.”
Three years ago, McDannald brought theater back to Triopia High School with the musical “Children of the Rainbow,” which was written by Bradbury and was originally performed on the school’s stage in 1999. Since bringing back theater to the school, McDannald has mentored and directed numerous students, many of whom had never performed before. “There’s nothing I love more than seeing someone new come in at the beginning of the year and then watch them grow and become more comfortable in their own skin. That’s what theater is all about!” said McDannald.
The cast consists of 15 Triopia students, and many are playing multiple roles. The seniors are Avery Garner, Jaxon Dion, Tice Crawford, Olivia Curry, Faith Embley and Lily McEvers. The underclassmen are Riley Lovekamp, Evelyn Crawford, Anna Isringhausen, Mason Lomelino, Keylie DeGroot, Sydnie DeGroot, Charlee Miller, Anna Isringhausen and Evie Langley.
Keylie DeGroot enjoys performing in her third Triopia show after having appeared in “Children of the Rainbow” and “Camp Sunshine.” She shared, “I auditioned for ‘David, You, and I’ because I enjoy doing theater and I love the Bible.”
Theater has been a positive learning experience for DeGroot. She continued, “I have learned that everyone is different. Some can remember their lines better than others. … I love being in character and being different from who I am in reality.”
Selecting a musical can be a daunting task for a director with the wide range of shows available. McDannald stated, “This year’s show is our most challenging one yet. ‘David, You, and I’ tells the incredible story of King David, and it’s filled with these amazing songs written by Roger Wainwright. It’s a big show, but these kids are up for the challenge. I can’t wait for everyone to see how hard they’ve worked!”
‘David, You, and I’ will be performed at Triopia High School, located at 2204 Concord Arenzville Rd. in Concord. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12; the Sunday, April 13 show is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door.
