![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-661d1ae3b39b62ecaf746ad6-0475473fd68f.jpg)
![Logo](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/e702/thumb-d655a81dcc951bbe39ea0625f904017a.jpeg)
Chirp Sheet
Singing the praises of our DCS students and staff 9-15/23
![Chirp Sheet Singing the praises of our DCS students and staff 9-15/23](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/6d5b/thumb-5fb6becdf668c2d493b65b7c6f3a2781.jpeg)
April 15, 2024 - Special Edition Spring Musical
DHS students to perform Mary Poppins Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Choral Director and Drama Teacher Garth Starr has certainly had his share of miscues in the four short years he has been in charge of directing the high school spring musical.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the curtain down on what would have been his first show in 2021. And little did anyone suspect that the pandemic and the subsequent supply issues it has caused would have continued to have a starring role in this year's production, but it did.
Last year, Starr selected "Bye Bye Birdie" to celebrate the final year that the play was to be held in the Maxine Ude Auditorium. He knew it had to be something extra special to celebrate the 55 years of camaraderie, sweat and tears that had taken place on that stage and to pay tribute to the woman who started it all: Miss Sally Bird, who served as the district’s vocal music director for 42 years.
This year, he chose "Mary Poppins" because he knew it would present well in the new Performing Arts Center. With its large sets, lots of color and recognizable story, it would be something for the whole family to enjoy.
"My mind had it set that 2023 was the last year to perform in the Auditorium, when we performed Bye Bye Birdie, so It hasn't set in that this is actually the last one," Starr admitted. "But I am proud of this performance, and that is going to be the last musical seen in this auditorium."
Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, and Friday, April 19. The final show takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. Tickets are $12 and seating is now reserved. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
"This is the most physical show we've had in a while," Starr said. "Mrs. Niemi and Mrs. Pins have outdone themselves with the choreography. The audience is going to love the music and will be singing these songs for days to come."
Starr begins preparing for the spring musical in the fall - lining up backdrops, the costumer, acquiring some props, and designing the set. He makes the big announcement of what show has been selected at the fall choir concert.
"I can't wait for the opportunity to develop next year's show in the new PAC," he said.
Auditions are held in January and rehearsals begin two weeks later. Students rehearse three days a week after school for the first two months and then more practices are added as needed, Starr said.
Meet the cast
Caleb Ashley
Caleb is a member of the ensemble for the second time this year. He loves all things music, especially choir. He has been a member of Davison’s choirs and bands since 5th grade. He sings in his church choir, and is also a member of the MSVMA Honors Choir and is moving on to All-State in May. He plans to continue on with music through college and pursue a career in music education.
Lauryn Auger
Lauryn is making her musical debut this year. She has been a member of the Varsity Swim Team for all of her high school career and was honored with the role of Team Captain for two of those years, along with being Field Sergeant in the Marching Band and a member of the Wind Ensemble and After School Orchestra. She is currently enrolled in Fire Academy and will be taking her state exams in June to get her certification which makes her employable at any fire station. She plans to attend Ferris State for a degree in Criminal Justice while being a part-time firefighter, becoming a Correctional Officer, and eventually moving down to Tennessee and having a lot of cats and chickens.
Victoria Echols
Victoria has been in various choirs since she was 10 years old. She performed as a Boylan sister in the musical Annie in 2018. She loves to take pictures and read in her spare time. Victoria was a part of the Summer Vocal Music Academy at UM-Flint where she developed her vocal skills. Victoria's favorite subject in school is Yearbook with Ms. Zimmer where she is the Head Editor. She plans to continue singing in the church choir while finishing her degree through the Davison Early College program and transfer to the University of Michigan to study Architecture.
Abbegail Gratsch
Abbegail is a member of Varsity Choir and has been in choir since fifth grade, including Mezzo Voce from sixth through eighth grades. She has been in multiple shows, some of her most notable roles being Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde," Cinderella in "Into the Woods," Sharpay in "High School Musical" and Mrs. White in "Clue." She also has been an assistant director and choreographer for theaters in the past. Outside of the musical she is involved in DECA, Student Council, Key Club, Winter Guard and Honors Choir. Next year, she will be finishing her associates degree in business and will be transferring to a performing arts college where she hopes to pursue a degree in musical theatre and vocal performance.
Mackenzie Hescott
Mackenzie has been in choir since the sixth grade. She loves learning languages, singing and creating artwork. She has multiple art pieces in the art show as well as two pieces displayed at the credit union. Music and art have been her passion since she was little. Mackenzie was in Mezzo Voce in both years of middle school as well as State Honors Choir in 8th grade and is now going to All-State Honor Choir. Her future plans are to attend a college to study linguistics and become an interpreter.
Rose Johnson
Rose is performing in her first musical as a part of the dance troupe. She has been a highland dancer for 13 years. She loves to play the violin in the school's orchestra and was a member of the bowling team for the last two years. After finishing the Early College program, she plans to go to Michigan State to study film.
Gabrial Martinez
Gabrial has been performing on stage for only a few short years but is already dedicated to making theater his life. He has been in many productions in the past few years including: "Beauty and the Beast," "Mean Girls" and "Legally Blonde." He joined Varsity Choir as a freshman last school year and does not plan on switching it out for any other class.
Connor Norman
Connor is a senior and previously performed as Lucas Benieke in "The Addams Family" musical and as Conrad Birdie in "Bye, Bye Birdie" last year. He is the President of the high school choir and is currently in Varsity, Concert and Cardinal Choir. This year he participated in the State Honors choir and is looking forward to singing in the All State choir in May. When he isn’t at school you can find him working at Italia Gardens or hanging out with his friends. He has been accepted to Mott and will begin the Electrician Certification program in the fall.
Leah Riley
Leah has been in love with music as long as she can remember. Leah has been in three musicals. She had her first role in the show "The Addams Family" where she played an ancestor. She achieved her first major role in her junior year when she played Doris MacAfee in "Bye Bye Birdie." This year she is so excited to play Mary Poppins and end her senior year with the lead role. Leah has also participated in MSVMA Honors Choir where she is moving on to All-State in May. She also participates in NHS, volunteers with Mezzo Voce at the middle school, and is a choral fellow in the choir at her church. Leah is in all three choirs at DHS and loves participating in any type of musical event she can. She plans on studying music education at CMU in the fall.
Faith Tiggart
Faith is a senior and a member of varsity choir for two years. She has been in choir since she was in 6th grade; part of the middle school Mezzo Voce. She has performed in "The Addams Family," playing a ballerina ancestor, and "Bye Bye Birdie," playing Ursula. She is a member of the Varsity Swim and Dive team, National Honor Society and Environmental Club. She has taken vocal lessons and next year plans to go to Northern Michigan University to get her doctorate and become a forensic anthropologist.
Chloe Starr
Chloe is a member of Varsity Choir. She is a member of the JV sideline cheer team and has played in her school's orchestra for four years playing cello. Chloe was in the Flint Youth Philharmonic and studied cello privately at the Flint School of Performing Arts. She is now studying guitar. Chloe also loves being involved in her church, working in the cafe, leading youth worship and working in her student-led leadership team, church choir and kids church.
Dustin White
Dustin, previously seen as Mal Beineke in "The Addams Family" and Harry McAfee in "Bye Bye Birdie," is part of the DHS Marching Band, Chamber Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Varsity Choir. He has been
accepted at the Michigan State University Vocal Performance Program and plans on attending there this fall.
Cast
Bert................................................................................Connor Norman
George Banks...............................................................Dustin White
Winifred Banks..........................................................….Abbegail Gratsch
Jane...............................................................................Chloe Starr
Michael..........................................................................Gabrial Martinez
Katie Nanna...............................................................….Richie Templeton
Policeman & Chairman...….......................................…..Caleb Ashley
Miss Lark...…...........................................................…....Charlotte Sanders
Admiral Boom...…...................................................…....Caleb Richardson
Mrs. Brill...…...................................................................Faith Tiggart
Robertson Ay.................................................................Lincoln Verburg
Mary Poppins................................................................Leah Riley
Park Keeper...................................................................Lauryn Auger
Neleus...........................................................................Lily Schultz
Miss Smythe.................................................................Alyssa Howard
Von Hussler..................................................................Jacob Barr
Northbrook...................................................................Brandon Graham
Bird Woman..................................................................Eva Jones
Mrs. Corry......................................................................Isabella Hinkley
Fannie & Valentine........................................................Lyli Anders
Annie............................................. ................................Victoria Echols
Doll.................................................................................Emilee Woodfield
Miss Andrew..................................................................Haylee Hosea
Dancers..........................................................................Isabella Hinkley, Alyssa Howard, Rose Johnson, Lily Schultz, Jaidyn Stheiner
Ensemble
Lyli Anders
Caleb Ashley
Lauryn Auger
Jacob Barr
Zoey Bednarski
Nadiya Bellmore
Victoria Echols
Brandon Graham
Mackenzie Hescott
Isabella Hinkley
Alyssa Howard
Eva Jones
Caleb Richardson
Charlotte Sanders
Amelia Schlegelmilch
Lily Schultz
Richie Templeton
Faith Tiggart
Lincoln Verburg
Eliza Wells
Emilee Woodfield
Pit Orchestra
PIT Orchestra Director.......................................................Caleb Goncz
FLUTE
Sophia Grach
Katherine Shorkey
Chloe Thompson
CLARINET
Christopher Haynes
BASS CLARINET
Alyvia Woods
BASSOON
Quinlan Bollwitt
TRUMPET
Andrew Shorkey
Declan Siterlet
Scarlett Verburg
TROMBONE
Benjamin Hartman
Gage McCann
Cloey Wright
FRENCH HORN
Sam Greenaway
Andrew Marshick
Jim Schuster
Emma Trevorrow
TUBA
Chance Champie
CELLO
Emelia Murphy
Gavin Thompson
GUITAR
Declan Cronely
BASS
Brody Bellamy
PERCUSSION
Clayton Baryo
Rin Yurk
DRUMS
Mark Routt
PIANO
Christine Morse
KEYBOARD
Becky Holt
Stage Crew
Stage Manager...............................................Zero VanOotenghem
Stage Hands....................................Kai Hazlewood, Cole Miller, Lily Surface, Sydney Lewis-Periard
Curtain Grips.....................................................Alaina Sherington, Issac Verrell
Costumes................................................................Eino Hughes, Lisa Hughes
Tech Crew
Auditorium Manager................................................Torri Lawrence
Audio.........................................................................Cj Moore
Lighting..................................................................Salena Sytek
Spot Operators.........................................................Alex Barrett, Jett Champie