By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist
“For half the cost of a movie ticket, you can come and be entertained by some amazing young actors” said Jane Ganey, theater director at Thompson High School.
This year’s fall production will be “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Christopher Sergel, inspired from the novel by Alabama’s own Harper Lee. As required reading for all ninth graders and a classic book in itself, most everyone is familiar with the story.
“Even in todays world students struggle with race, family and social situations. Our production is a good old Southern story that encompasses several issues” said Ganey.
With practices, days are often 10 hours long with the best part of this being the mutual love and bonding between Ganey and her students.
Four theater class are offered at THS – Theater I (basic), Theater II (production) and Theater III/IV which are merged together to make up the advanced and competition class. The III/IV students compete in the Walter Trumbauer Theater Competition and the Alabama Thespian Festival.
A Technical Theater class is responsible for designing and constructing sets, props and costumes for all productions.
“Their expertise and hard work will definitely show in our upcoming productions. THS will have four major mainstage events this year” said Ganey.
On a personal level, Ganey was raised in the Cahaba Heights area, graduated from Shades Valley High School and Troy University where she continued her theater training. Ganey studied under Roy Hudson, who is now the Artistic Director of the Virginia – Stamford Theatre in Birmingham.
“I spent hours and hours in theater buildings running lines, building things…whatever I could do. Hudson was like a second father to me, and taught me how to be a successful teacher. I still mirror many of his techniques today.”
Husband Logan and 1-year-old daughter, Piper Quinn, make each day truly amazing for Ganey. Rock climbing, being outdoors and family time at home with Piper fill most of this family’s free time.
“We welcome you to join us for ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ and all of our other productions this year. We hope to see you there,” Ganey says.