Discover the Christmas spirit

CAMI JONES, 17, plays piano and sings "Angels" with other El Dorado High School students in "The Santa Workshop Christmas Extravaganza" at El Dorado High School on Saturday. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

By Mike Bush
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What: ”The Santa Workshop Christmas Extravaganza”

Who: El Dorado High School Drama Department

Where: El Dorado High School, Black Box Theater, 561 Canal St. in Placerville

When: Saturday, Dec. 15. Doors open at 5:30, curtain at 6 p.m.

Tickets: Donation of new jacket and/or unwrapped new toy for children

Information: 530-622-3634, ext. 1191

El Dorado High School drama students are getting into the holiday spirit. They are giving the community a Christmas production and collecting toys and coats for children in El Dorado County.

On Saturday, Dec. 15, the students are presenting “The Santa Workshop Christmas Extravaganza,” an evening of skits and performances.The production starts at 6 p.m. at the school’s Black Box Theater, 561 Canal St. in Placerville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m.

Admission to the extravaganza is a new jacket or unwrapped toy to go under a child’s Christmas tree.

“We want to give back,” said Rachel Turner, one of the presidents of El Dorado High School’s drama club.

The idea of giving back came at the beginning of the school year when Turner and fellow presidents Amanda Moore and Sarah Erickson, all seniors, talked with Paul Tomei, drama department teacher, about raising money to help the less fortunate in the county and around the world.

“We had already done a fundraiser,” said Erickson. She added that the drama students raised $600 that was given to Compassion International to purchase water filters for families living in third-world countries.

Turner said the evening of entertainment features comedy sketches, acts, singing and dancing.

Turner pointed out that the performances are an opportunity for underclassmen who are taking beginner and novice drama classes to get on stage and get ready for bigger roles in the future.

“This gives the kids a chance to show what they’ve got,” Turner said.

“People are coming up with their own songs and writing their own scripts,” Moore said.

Moore added that one of the acts is going to be a magic show.

“There’s also a Christmas version of ‘The Voice,’” Erickson said. “Plus a spoof on Black Friday.”

Another skit will have two students portraying the bread winners of their families battling for the last ham at a grocery store to serve for Christmas dinner, Moore said.

To capture the Christmas spirit a group will sing “Silent Night.”

Tomei said there are approximately 100 students from the beginning, novice and advanced drama classes taking part in the extravaganza.

Performers are: Hannah Van Vleet, Courtney Land, Cammy Linger, Skylar Heinsma, Taylor Gear, Kate Curless, Samantha Ludden, Camille Jones, Alex Alvarez, August Kuuskevere, Jenna Duke, Lindsey Thomas, Logan Thomas, Adam Ainswoth, Amanda Moore, Rachel Turner, Cassy Markus, Sarah Erickson, Christiana Rutz, Dionicio Cox, Nichole Leininger, Harris Dean, Levi Cambridge, Paul Tomei, Aron Linker, Caleb Morris, Emily Bonham and Arthur Ruiloba.

Along with the toy and coat donations, money will also be accepted, Tomei said. Checks should be made out to the El Dorado High School drama department.

A concession stand is planned to be open during the play, Moore said. Some parents are also planning to bake treats to sell during the show with the money going to the toy and coat drive.

For more information call the school’s drama department at 530-622-3634 ext. 1191.

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter.