Summit Academy student to perform 'Night at the Wax Museum'

More than 30 Summit Academy junior high and high school students have been rehearsing for months for January's production of "Night at the Wax Museum."

The comedy, written by Craig Sodaro, will be at 7 p.m., Jan. 19-21 at Summit Academy's auditorium, 1201 East 13200 South. Tickets are $3, $2 for students with ID and $10 for a family pass, which includes two adults and their kids. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the night of each performance.

The play mixes history with comedy when six unlucky students have to retake a history class during summer school. First-year teacher Heather Fairchild has arranged for them to help her two aunts set up a new wax museum as a class project. Initially the students' reaction is boredom, but when Cleopatra's bracelet brings King Herry VIII, Butch Cassidy, Blackbeard and others to life, their attitude may just change as the treasure-hungry outlaws, pirates and royalty mount a great siege.

"I selected this play because I thought it had a lot of fun characters," said Summit Academy teacher Aimee McComb, who is directing the play. "Its message, that history can be interesting and fun, was presented in a way that the students and audience could connect with."

McComb said any seventh- through 10th-grade student who wanted to participate auditioned, then rehearsals begin in October. The production is not tied to a class; however, traditionally art class students and members of the cast create programs and posters for the play.

"I think the great thing about producing a play is that the students have such a great opportunity to meet new people and work together as a team to produce something they can be proud of," McComb said. "I see lots of growth from these students as they exhibit such dedication to a project and confidence in performing."