Tea Area High School to present ‘The Addams Family School Edition’ at Embrace Church
- Tea Weekly Staff
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
The Tea Area High School Theatre Department is bringing a spooky, kooky classic to life with its spring musical production of “The Addams Family School Edition”. Performances are set for Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 26, with two performances: a 2 p.m. matinee and an evening show at 7 p.m. This year’s production will take place off campus at Embrace Church in Tea. Admission is free to all.
The production features a talented ensemble of student actors in lead and supporting roles:
• Gomez Addams played by Isaac Bullis
• Morticia Addams played by Kimberlee Brockberg
• Uncle Fester played by Jacob Birger
• Grandma Addams played by Ella Cambier
• Wednesday Addams played by Claire Hank
• Pugsley Addams played by Skylynn Broesder
• Lurch played by Arden McGraw
• Lucas Beineke played by Riley Clark
• Mal Beineke played by Sam Bullis
• Alice Beineke played by Kassidy Wranek
Students and staff alike say the experience of putting together this year’s musical has been both memorable and rewarding. They have put in countless hours of preparation.
When asked about practices, Skyline Broesder, who plays Puglsey Addams said they practice almost every weekday from 4-6 with two out of every five practices dedicated to choreography. Broesder noted they sometimes even rehearse on Saturdays.
Isaac Bullis, who will be playing the suave Gomez Addams, says this year has been a “vast improvement” from past productions. “Rehearsals are more streamlined and less chaotic,” he said.
Claire Hank, who takes on the iconic role of Wednesday Addams, noted that despite the condensed timeline, “everyone is doing a good job, doing the best they can.”
Kassidy Wranek, who portrays Alice Beineke, added, “The progress is really cool to watch. It feels like it’s going fast.”
For many students, the experience goes beyond just singing and dancing.
“It feels a lot more like a family this year,” Broesder shared. That sentiment was echoed by Ella Cambier, who plays Grandma Addams. “It’s great to be a family with the Addams Family,” she said.
The dedication from the actors is also seen in those students behind the scenes.
The ensemble, the ancestors and ghosts, are comprised of Harper Heier (Bride), Myranda Schnasa (Saloon Girl), Rachel Row (Flapper), Anna Klinkert (Nurse), Ashlee Battleson (Flight Attendant), Sage Fanning (Actress), Lexie Hawkey (Police), Elnara Abbasova (Secretary), Hannah Broughton (Athlete/Tennis), Jannah Ricaldi (Photographer), Jaxon Johanneson (Doctor), Will Roberts (Puritan), Dawson Lowery (Caveman), and Brody Miller (Conquistador).
The musical support for this performance will be provided by the pit orchestra, which is directed by Tim Dingman and supported by Janice Gilbert and Stephanie Wranek.
The pit orchestra includes:
Piano – Linda Conrad; Keyboards – Mary Beth Kelly, Janice Gilbert; Flutes – Madalyn Havlin, Breslyn Rand, Gracie Kramer; Clarinets – Kapri Drewes, Jaden Sedlacek; Saxophone – Isabella Preheim; Trombones – Beau Wranek, Andrew Schmidt; Trumpet/Flugelhorn – Carly Corner; Bass – Matthew Birger; Drums – Ensel McGraw; Percussion – Lola Lopez, Cassie Waltner
The behind-the-scenes team includes:
Choreography – Shannon Dancler; Assistant Student Director – Trista Smith; Sound & Mics – Sophie Larson, Audrina Schaunaman; Digital Backdrop – Alexis Escobedo; Lighting – James Hintzemann; Properties – Sydney Jones; Costuming – Rebecca Hyronimus, Claire Hyronimus; Backstage – Zaiden Johnson; and Makeup – Lindsey Brockberg, Casey Bullis, Madysn Vilhauer
Lola Lopez, a member of the pit orchestra, reflected on the musical variety this year.
“We made more progress this year compared to last year,” Lopez said. She noted it’s exciting to have multiple accompanists and new faces involved.
Several students are returning from previous Tea Area productions such as “Footloose” and “Back to the 80s”, while others are joining a musical for the first time.
“In Germany, schools don’t typically offer musicals, band, or choir,” said Anna Klinkert, who plays an ancestor in the ensemble. She has enjoyed this new experience.
Elnara Abbasova, who also plays an ancestor, said one of her favorite parts of the production is the high-energy opening number, “When You’re an Addams.” “It’s a good introduction for the audience,” she said.
The production is directed by Mary Beth Sutton and Jordan Rohrbach, with support from an extended team of staff, parent volunteers, and students.
“This is a huge group effort from Adam Larson and his students building stair cases to Jordan Rohbach and the FBLA students for assisting with the program, posters and head shots and biography information,” said Sutton. Sutton also extend special thanks to Embrace Church (Pastor Luke, Marcus Vasecka and the entire Embrace staff); Ideal Tent and Event Rentals (Blake Dede); Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Lowery, Activities Director Craig Clayberg, Crystal Theatre Board, Flandreau, SD (set pieces, microphones), Janice Gilbert (use of HS choir room rehearsal space), Stephanie Wranek (use of HS band room rehearsal space) and Tea Area Staff (James Duffy).
“We are so thankful and have such gratitude for the Embrace staff welcoming their place of worship to share it with us for this production. I am so proud of the talented, amazing, committed, hard-working cast and crew members,” said Sutton. “Each and everyone one of them has made this a memorable experience. Our goal with this show is to make you laugh, cry and challenge you to ‘Live before We Die!’”
[Editor’s note: Special thanks to Mira Heier, student at Tea Area High School for interviewing the cast members for this story.]