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2005 04 29

Random Rippling

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v02n09)

Ripples Acts 2005 - a Hair-Raising Spectacle

posted: Apr. 29, 2005

by John S. Hague

One weekend in every spring, Broad Ripple High School engages in the tradition of Ripples. Ripples are student-written, directed, produced, choreographed and performed plays. This year's three Ripples acts were Ooman's Dream, directed by Sara Gallienne, Carly Hodgkins, Jenny Jayne, and Joelle Simms; Sharber Bop, directed by Lydia Maher, Emily Schumacher, and Kim Carmichael; and The Frightening, directed by Emmanuel Carter, R. Cody Fague (the Gazette's occassional cartoonist), Clinton Lowery, and Steven Neltner. Usually the directors have also written each act. Awards for best act, best costume, best set, best actor, etc. are given Saturday night after the performances.

Ooman's Dream, translated into 'woman's dream' from Jamaican, is about a procrastinating high-school senior's fantasy of the fabulous spring break in the Caribbean that she may not get if she doesn't shape up in class. Most of the play is a dream sequence resulting from a blow to the head by a football being tossed about in class. The main character, Nikki, was played by Emily Wirt, class of '06 and the class teacher Mr. Boyant is Milton Britton, Jr., also class of '06. The late 'Bob Marley' provided the jammin' celebrity cameo for Ooman's Dream.

Sharber Bop (barber shop) tells the story of a hair salon in Nap Town (after which the act is named) where wigs mysteriously begin to disappear. Owner Herb Al'Essence calls in Detective Rogaine to figure out what's happening. The salon owner Herb was played by Matthew Mosley, class of '06; Dustin Ortega, class of '05 played the dashing detective; and Chanelle Footman, class of '05, portrayed the thieving Cruella De Weave (based on Disney's dognapper) who is stealing the wigs to make a hair coat. Sharber Bop's celebrity cameo was 'Oscar the Grouch', complete with trashcan.

The set-design crew for The Frightening created so many wonderful set pieces that not all could be used! This third act depicted Count Dracula's plans of world domination as they are interrupted by the arrival of an elderly couple in search of a bingo parlor. A tremendous horde of zombie extras writhed around senior citizens Robert Bentley and Mareana Footman, class of '07 each, as well as Dracula himself, played by David Cork, class of '07. The celebrity cameos here were 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and a brilliantly performed 'Gollum', courtesy of Kevin Scott, class of '06.

Between the acts, Ripples provides various Intermission Acts, and this year's were stand-up comedian Sean Jones, class of '05, and the group MOB, with Ronald Craig, Dominique Oliver, class of '06, and Brian Hughes, class of '07. Ripples' Emcee, host for the two night's performances, was Finda Songor, class of '05. Still more students were involved in the live band and backstage. This paper's editor and family attended Friday night and found the auditorium packed. We can't wait for next year's Ripples, and we hope to see you there!