<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3PioOj_0vlgHahy00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3PioOj_0vlgHahy00" width="1320" height="743" >LENOIR COUNTY, NC — Each week we showcase two schools and what they're doing off the field in our Academic Showcase brought to you by The United States Air Force.Students at North Lenoir High School are starting Christmas early this year, as students of the drama club prepare for their upcoming play, “The Elf.”The club took a big hit during the pandemic but has seen much evolvement since 2020.Former Director Marian Kennedy says:<blockquote>We started small. We did smaller shows and now we finally feel like it's almost back to where it was.</blockquote>The North Lenoir High School drama department has produced over 60 shows since the program was brought back in 1988 by Marian Kennedy.The former director passed the baton to Bailey Sutton in 2019, right before everything changed.“In March of 2020 we were three days away from opening ‘Mama Mia’ here and everything shut down," says Kennedy.Director Bailey Sutton says:<blockquote>Then it was trying to figure out how to do music online virtually.</blockquote>Kennedy and Sutton say the pandemic changed everything for the program. Decreasing the number of participants and show attendees, which the students say has since evolved.“So, when covid hit it really hurt us, but we’ve started to rebuild again. Attendance is growing every show," says Parker Ball.Seniors Hayden Hall<blockquote>I'm Buddy the Elf</blockquote>Along with Parker Ball, joined the drama club their freshman year after a friendly bet.“I looked at him and I said well if you do it then I'll do it," says Ball.“I said well hey if you do it then I'll do it. We shook on it. We went to the auditions, we ended up doing really well," said Hall.The rest was history. The two seniors have spent the rest of their high school years participating in plays, growing their friendship and watching the club evolve.They want students to know just how impactful the program is and that it is for everyone.<blockquote>Oh my gosh its open so many doors for me like I know what I want to do with my life. I want to go into communications, because I feel so comfortable talking to people now you know.With this program it is a group of lovers of Music, Theatre. Weve got athletes, cheerleaders, science nerds, we’ve got everything!</blockquote>Students will hit the stage November 7 through the 9 at 7:30p.m.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

From pandemic pause to stage applause: North Lenoir students set for 'The Elf'

LENOIR COUNTY, NC — Each week we showcase two schools and what they're doing off the field in our Academic Showcase brought to you by The United States Air Force. Students at North Lenoir High School are starting Christmas early this year, as students of the drama club prepare for their upcoming play, “The Elf.”