McPherson High School’s theatre participants traveled to Kansas State on Nov. 11 for Theatre Learning Day. Freshman Drake Langshaw, junior Kiley Delaney and seniors Dylan Kramer, Hannah Foster, Dalton Kokmeyer, Hannah Stecklein and Olivia Rettig left the high school at 6am to arrive at Manhattan by 8am. While there, workshops taught by the students of K-State’s theater program were set up for students to attend. After a provided lunch, students were treated to a show of the musical A Christmas Carol, put on by K-State’s theatre group.

“We were encouraged to choose our own workshops,” senior Hannah Stecklein said. “I chose vocal health and improv. We went over how to keep our lungs and vocal cords healthy and strong. We also went over things to do if you get sick, so you won’t further damage your voice. They even showed us a video of vocal cords in action. We learned how to breath properly so we could sing to our full ability. For the most part we played games for improv. It was all very informational, and it was nice to know for future shows.”

Other workshops, like stage management and monologue, were options as well. Students attended two workshops and then were able to watch the production of A Christmas Carol.

“A Christmas Carol was very professional, and it was great to sit down and enjoy it,” Stecklein said. “I don’t get many opportunities to be in the audience, so it was a good experience.”

After eating some lunch at K State’s cafeteria, students headed back to McPherson at 1:30 in order to get back before the school day was over.