‘Star Wars’ play at CHS gives a new hope to interested students

Published: Sunday, December 6, 2009

A long time ago, in a high school not so far away, one man had a vision – a vision to go forth and create what could be the greatest high school play to grace Campbell High School’s dusty wooden stage. And any Campbell student who had an imagination and a toy lightsaber at one point would concur.

The forthcoming production of social studies teacher Justin Ballou’s “Tales of the Jedi Kid” is up and running and set to premiere schoolwide on Jan. 22. The play is a bizarre and colorful tale of a young boy whose passionate interest in “Star Wars” gets him into trouble at home and in school (like we all haven’t been there before).

Co-written by Ballou back when he was just “a young Padawan,” he wrote the play with a friend during their senior year and even had an acting role. Ten years later, Ballou decided it was time to brush the cobwebs off the script and introduced CHS to a healthy dosage of The Force.

“I was considering bringing the play to Campbell for a long time, but had difficulties getting my hands on the old script,” Ballou said. “I finally contacted my old partner, who was happy to give me a copy.”

As word spread of the possibility of a “Star Wars” play, geeks around the school (this writer included!) flocked to room 214 for the exciting possibility of being the next Harrison Ford.

“The play definitely drew a much more diverse crowd than the usual students involved in previous drama productions,” Ballou said. “It definitely didn’t hurt having additional males, as well.”

The truth, indeed. The unavoidable fact that the usual students are featured in the school’s plays each year can’t be denied. However, with the announcement of a “Star Wars” play, many new faces were seen in the auditorium eager to try out.

“I always thought it would be fun to be in a school play, but there was nothing that really interested me,” junior Mark Taddonio said.

“I heard they needed a Chewbacca, so I figured I’m the right guy,” burly senior Jimmy Amadio said.

Starring in the play is multitalented junior Andrew Matte as Lucas Georgio, the over-imaginative youngster who turns everyday life situations into “Star Wars” fantasy at the drop of a hat. The play features the most memorable characters, with interesting casting such as a junior Cassie Baran as Jedi Master Yoda and a very convincing junior Alyssa Bean as the droid C-3PO.

Ballou has also used his connections in the school to hype up the experience. He will be recruiting his film club to help promote the show, and will have them capture the night as a multimedia event.

Also in the technology department, super-genius physics teacher Patrick Kaplo is in the works with Ballou in making a fully functional R2-D2 droid.

So, for all you fans of the “Star Wars” universe or just fans of fine acting, mark the calendar for the 22nd of January. And if you want to be part of the action, it’s never too late to jump aboard!

Andrew Boutselis is a junior at Campbell High School in Litchfield.