The Arkansaw Bear

November 7, 8, and 9, 2024
All shows at 7:00 pm.
Saddened and bewildered at her grandfather's approaching death, Tish runs to her "special tree." There, in a world of fantasy provided by her wish on a star, she meets the world's greatest dancing bear. He is old, like her grandfather, and is running away—from death. In trying to help him, she begins to understand the meaning of both life and death, which helps her to cope with her own sadness. The play blends realism and fantasy, pathos and humor. It is delightfully theatrical, with music, magic and dance, and enthusiastically applauded by children's audiences and family audiences. The Arkansaw Bear is an important work by America's foremost playwright for young audiences, sparkling with entertainment while also dramatizing, with poignancy, a universal truth.
By:  Aurand Harris

Q&A With Trent Garrett and Jacob Young

Trent Garrett and Jacob Young 2022
GHS drama students with Jacob and Trent. April 2022

2018 Thespian Educator of The Year

Cindy Kreicar, Virginia Thespian Educator of the year. (2018)
All the Honorees from the 2018 Festival can be found HERE.
Congratulations to our troupe sponsor, Ms. Cindy Kreicar, for being recognized by the Virginia Thespians as Virginia Thespian Educator of the Year at the 2018 State Thespian conference.

A Note From The Director
Cindy KreicarCindy Kreicar
I never seriously considered teaching anything other than Drama.  It has been my passion for as long as I can remember.  Despite dire predictions from friends and family of the lack of jobs for Drama teachers, I walked out of college and into a full time position at the middle school level in Newport News.  After six years of teaching at that level and building a strong program, I moved to Grafton High School, where I am teaching now. 

I love my job.  It is challenging, exasperating, and exhilarating all at once.  Theatre offers teenagers an opportunity to experience the theatre process as performers, and backstage workers.  They become confident, responsible young adults who understand how to work in an ensemble and to problem solve “outside” of the box.  I have had the pleasure of watching shy students overcome their reluctance to speak up, wild students learn self-discipline, talented students find their strengths, and some students even find their talent for the first time.  I am constantly realizing how desperately students need the arts in this age of science and technology. Theatre offers them the opportunity to build skills that will prepare them for any line of work they choose and to express themselves and their world creatively to others.  I work to be a strong influence in their lives and to be an advocate of Theatre both in my community and in education.
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Class of 2022

Ryan Hunter Edwards

October 6, 1996 - July 3, 2013
Ryan was a beloved member of our drama family and I offer this to you as my way of honoring a soul that has made a great impact on my life and the life of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Cindy H. Kreicar
Director 
Visit Ryan's page.