‘So Long, Farewell’

    STACYVILLE, Maine — About 30 students of the Performing Arts Club of Katahdin (P.A.C.K.) presented a show called “So Long, Farewell” April 11-12 at Katahdin Area High School. Family, friends, and loyal followers packed the KAHS auditorium for the performances.
This was the fifth annual show since P.A.C.K.  was first begun by Winnie Allen and Dawn Pray in 2010. This year’s seniors were eighth graders when the first shows took place. In the first year, the show was a nostalgic look back at music, shows, and popular culture of the 1950s through the ‘80s. In subsequent years, shows covered television, classic movies and misunderstood villains.
This year’s program was centered on the pressures, joys, relationships and decisions that are part of a teenager’s life in high school. Loosely based on movies such as “Grease,” “Annie,” “High School Musical,” “Tangled,” and “The Sound of Music,” the acts were primarily written, choreographed, and directed by seniors Morgan Livezey, Hannah Buhler, and Delaney Fitzpatrick, as well as juniors Kassadi Moore and Jacob Buhler. Along with these seniors and juniors, five other seniors, three juniors, six sophomores, and nine freshmen joined the cast for many weeks of practice.
Bonny Cox and Lana Robinson served as co-advisors. Senior Shawna Craig, who was assisted in drawing and painting by senior Cat Noyes, designed the stage backdrop and programs.
“Like most years when putting together a show of any kind, there were stresses, such as trying to accommodate students’ work schedules, sports practices, and other commitments,” said Robinson. “Students began practicing after they returned from February vacation on Feb. 24 and continued to do so almost every day until the performance. The frequent school cancellations, due to inclement weather, may have hampered their efforts but the students did not let that slow them down.
“Although everyone was tired by the time the last performance was over, most participants were glad that they decided to join P.A.C.K. and plan to participate again next year,” she continued. “Some of the typical responses were ‘Overall, it was a wonderful experience,’ and ‘at first it was very stressful, but in the end we all came together as a team and did a wonderful job.’ Audience members commented on their appreciation for the hard work the students had done to provide an evening of entertainment for the community. They also liked seeing students who are ordinarily shy stepping out of their comfort zone when they were on stage.”
The seniors, who have been such an important part of P.A.C.K. since its beginning, will be missed greatly, Robinson added.