Bradley Central High School's Drama Central Company members Kasey Torbett, left, and Dustin Roberts assume the roles of Aunt Eller and Will Parker during a recent dress rehearsal of the group's production of "Oklahoma!"If you goWhat: Oklahoma!Who: DramaCentralWhere: Fine Arts Center at Bradley Central High School, 1000 South Lee Highway, Cleveland, TN 37311Tickets: Purchase at door or call 423-476-0650, $12 for general admission, $8 for children and seniorsWhen: Today at 2 p.m.Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. (Palmer family benefit)*Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 pm.* The Palmer family benefit show is "pay what you can."
CLEVELAND, Tenn. - DramaCentral's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma!" has given the Bradley Central High School theater company a chance to show that family truly matters.
In response to a personal tragedy suffered by student performer Tristan Palmer, the drama club will give a benefit performance for his family on Tuesday, said director Lindsey Bell.
"The entire theme of 'Oklahoma!' and of my program as a whole is unity and family and roots," said Bell.
Just as the cast and crew were entering the final phase of rehearsals for a run of shows that would begin Oct. 24, Palmer unexpectedly lost his father, Bell said.
Palmer has not stepped away from the production, but instead made it a point to be at rehearsals, said company members.
"We're like his family and he didn't want to be alone," said Harley Woods, a senior who has been with DramaCentral for four years. "That's one of the great things of being in the drama department is that you're never alone."
Not only did the company want to be there for Palmer, but he wanted to be there for them, Bell said.
"Not only did he come to rehearsal ... but by the end he was leading dances and telling people to focus," said Bell. "The entire cast was transformed."
It only makes sense that things would work out that way in the atmosphere that Bell has fostered within the company, said cast members.
"There's something about her," sophomore Jacob Payne said. "She's found that perfect middle ground between friend, mentor, teacher and director to do what she does."
During the group's first dress rehearsal -- a full-blown exercise undertaken a few days before the first show -- Bell was in action, offering praise, criticism and guidance with a dose of dry humor to the cast, stage hands and technical personnel.
"This ain't a play about a scene change!" she said during one transition, resulting in a few hushed laughs and prompt action from her students.
While most of her professional theater experiences were gained during years she spent away from home, taking the director's chair back in Cleveland has been some of the most satisfying work she has done, Bell said.
The production is also the subject of a locally produced documentary by Jordan Smith of Red Shoe Productions.
"It shows exactly what's going on and how it got there," said Smith, who also works for a Chattanooga television station. "It gives people the insight on how everything is done and not just thrown up there for you."
The documentary gives the audience a chance to understand all the work that went on behind the scenes of the "Oklahoma!" production, Smith said.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.