MHS Play Draws A Crowd, Gives Back To Community

During the senior dessert and coffee reception before the Maumee High School play on November 16, Maumee residents and cast members (from left) Sarah Braithwaite, Mary Braithwaite, Bill Braithwaite, Stacey Braithwaite, Caris Wedge and Olivia Flagg chat about the evening’s performance. MIRROR PHOTO BY KRISTI FISH

BY KRISTI FISH | MIRROR REPORTER — Maumee High School drama students were met with lots of laughs and flowers after the first performance of Clue: High School Edition on November 18.

The cast members along with the crew brought the Hasbro board game to life at the MHS Performing Arts Center over the weekend, selling approximately 500 tickets, making it one of the best-attended fall plays in the last decade, said director Jamie Naragon.

“Students in grades 9-12 and several alumni worked hard to bring the show to life but with our own Maumee twist,” Naragon said. “The costumer was a high school senior. The sets were all painted by students and alumni volunteers. Parents provided support at the box office, concession stand and feeding us through tech week.”

Prior to the Friday night showing, Maumee senior residents were invited for a dessert and coffee reception where they could speak with some of the cast members.

Administrative staff from Maumee City Schools were also in attendance at the event. Interim Superintendent Steve Lee said he was excited to see the hard work of the students pay off during their performance.

“I just wanted to thank you all for being here to support our students,” Lee said during the dessert and coffee reception.

The district hopes to hold more senior receptions in the future along with a Holiday Tea on Friday, December 16 at the Performing Arts Center, 1147 Saco St., from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. The Maumee High School symphonic band, string orchestra and Select Singers choir will perform.

Those interested can register for the free event by calling (419) 893-3200, option 1, by Tuesday, December 13.

As a way to give back to the community, the students are also planning a board game donation drive in December. They will provide games to local pediatric patients and visit area assisted-living facilities to play the games with residents.

“We are so appreciative of the support from the school district and the community at large. The past few years have been hard with two of our performances being COVID-canceled, but having such a good turnout boosted the morale of our students,” Naragon said.

To stay updated on the high school productions, including the upcoming March performance of The Little Mermaid, those interested can follow the program on Facebook at Panther Productions MHS, on Twitter at MaumeeHSDrama and on Instagram at MaumeePantherProductions.

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