Since the closing of “Clue: The Musical” in February 2020, the stage has remained bare, the seats empty and the doors locked. What was once a place of beautiful creation, life and energy has fallen silent and lifeless. For almost a year, theatre lovers have been waiting eagerly for the next time they can see or participate in a show, and now the wait is finally over. This February, the Drama Club will be putting on a showcase to kick off the 2020-2021 performance season.

Drama Club is known for their one-acts, plays and musicals, but their showcases do not get as much publicity. In the past, their showcases have been a collection of songs, monologues and other performances in order to showcase the variety of talents within Drama Club. Artists could perform virtually anything they wish, allowing them to express themselves and explore different areas of performance that they would not get the chance to in a play or musical.

“In the last showcase, I was a part of a few things,” senior Paige Shoemaker said. “For my own act, I played the piano and sang ‘When I Was Your Man’ by Bruno Mars. I was also part of the big group number which was a song from ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie,’ and I also played Truvy in a scene that we did from ‘Steel Magnolias.’”

This year’s showcase will have a theme: love. Each performance will revolve around romance, heartbreak and all the ups and downs of relationships. The directors decided on this theme because the performance will fall around Valentine’s Day: Feb. 12 and 13 at 8 p.m.

“I personally like the theme of the show,” freshman Katelyn Gainer said. “I think love is definitely a big factor in today’s world especially with COVID-19; we want to surround ourselves with people we love. We want to find love.”

There are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved off-stage as well. From running the lights to building the set to helping actors with their makeup and hair, technical crews are essential to the success of a performance.

“I feel like the tech crew plays a pretty important part of the show,” Gainer said. “The tech brings all of the characters together with makeup and hair but also creates the scene perfectly with set building and lighting. I also really enjoy art and theater and shows bring my two favorite things together.”

Although it is not a full musical, it is exciting for most theatre kids to be able to get back into performing, and for newcomers, to get their first show experience.

“I feel good about my audition and everyone I’ve talked to who’s doing the show can’t wait for it to start,” freshman Jordan Thompson said. “Interacting with my friends in a theatre environment [is what I’m most looking forward to]. It’s always a lot of fun, and I have a lot of good memories from moments like that.”