Students bring classic mystery to stage

PHIL CAMPBELL — The classic comedy mystery “Clue” became the first nonmusical the high school has staged since adding a theater class after last spring’s success with the “Mean Girls” musical.

The class, taught by Director Jonathan Grimes and Assistant Director Ashley Grimes, gives students a chance to study stage etiquette, terminology, improv and technical skills during the day. Even so, afterschool practices remain open to all students, since some cannot fit the elective into their schedules.

Grimes said offering both a straight play in the fall and a musical in the spring helps students experience two very different styles of performance.

“With a musical, you have music to lean on,” he said. “In a play, you don’t have that crutch. You depend on each other to keep the timing and keep the show moving.”

Students rehearsed in classrooms and hallways until the set could be built inside the Phil Campbell Elementary gymnasium. The arrangement, made possible through cooperation with the elementary staff, allowed the cast to perform on a full layout for the first time only a week before opening night.

Ashley Grimes worked closely with students on character choices, vocal expression and stage movement. She helped newer cast members strengthen their confidence as they stepped into roles with more dialogue and physical comedy.

Grimes said he teaches students to treat the stage as a separate world where they can step out of themselves and into their characters.

“I tell them that when the show starts, the outside world doesn’t exist,” he said. “You are no longer yourself. You are Colonel Mustard or Mrs. White or whoever you’re playing. Leave everything else at the door.”

The cast ranged from seventh graders to seniors with roles divided among 24 students. Named characters, supporting parts and backstage crews worked together to handle scene changes, dialogue-heavy pacing, and the physical comedy built into the script.

To help students find their characters, Grimes assigned each leading role a “spirit animal” during early rehearsals.

Mrs. White, for example, drew inspiration from a black widow, quiet and intense beneath the surface. Mrs. Peacock took cues from a frantic ground-nesting bird known for darting back and forth to distract attention from its nest.

“It helps them understand how their characters move and react,” Grimes said. “They use those traits to fuel their performance.”

Grimes also modified part of the script to keep the high school version family friendly.

Instead of referencing alcohol in the lounge scene, the cast refers to sparkling grape juice. The infamous poisoned drink became a bottle of Yoo-hoo, a change that turned into a running joke both on stage and in the concession stand.

“When they say, ‘Maybe the Yoo-hoo was poisoned,’ people perk up,” Grimes said. “It adds another layer of fun.”

Before teaching, Grimes spent years acting and working backstage in local theater.

He first performed in 2005 in “Toyland” at Northwest Shoals Community College. He later joined productions at the Ritz and the Roxy, including Christmas shows and musicals, before returning to educational theater.

Opening night brought strong laughter from the audience, and the cast hit its timing goal for the first time.

Grimes said rehearsals often stretched toward two hours, but the hoped the production would be finished in about 90 minutes. After watching Friday’s performance, he checked the clock and felt a jolt of pride.

“They rose to the occasion,” he said. “They reached the goal, and now the goal is to keep improving.”

Senior Lillee Cason, who played the Cook, said the role stretched her in the best way.

“It’s really fun to get up there and express myself,” Cason said. “I love being with the cast, and our directors make it really fun. My favorite part is falling out of the door and landing on Mr. Green. I just lay there for five minutes. It always gets a reaction.”

Junior Kyndal Wingo, who played Mrs. Peacock, embraced the character’s intensity.

“She’s very aloof, very posh, and she wants you to know she’s important,” Wingo said. “My favorite moment is when I drink Mr. Boddy’s drink and start screaming at the top of my lungs. Then Miss Scarlet slaps me.”

Wingo said keeping her accent consistent through the show is what makes her most proud.

Seventh grader Simmie Grace Grimes, who played Yvette, said she enjoys characters with a mix of humor and tension.

“I’m sly and tricky,” she said. “I help Mr. Boddy get evidence, but I also help the others.”

Her favorite scene is a panic moment that erupts into a full-volume scream at Wadsworth and Colonel Mustard.

Seventh grader Cloie McDonald, the Singing Telegram Girl, said her scene is one of the most fun parts of the night.

“I get to dance and make people laugh,” she said. “My favorite moment is when I fall, and my foot gets stuck in the door. Wadsworth just kicks me out of the way.”

Grimes said the fall play builds momentum for the spring musical and strengthens the overall theater program.

He said he also hopes the school will one day have a dedicated theater space, which could support summer productions and more community involvement.

“When people hear Phil Campbell High School is doing a show, we want them to think, we’ve got to go see that,” he said.