Making History One Performance at a Time

Photo by Wei-Cheng Wu on Unsplash

PANAMA CITY, Fla – Deane Bozeman’s drama program has been making waves since its reawakening.

At districts last fall, they took Best in Show in advancing them to the State wide competition in which they tackled as “a victory lap.” They ended up taking Top Honors with the highest score, earning them a bid from the state of Florida for a spot at Internationals, outcompeting the largest, most well funded performing arts schools in the state.

This past summer, the program performed one of the 22 shows in Bloomington, Indiana at the international competition for the largest high school theater education association, International Thespian Society.

Erin Gorman, the program’s advisor, stated “we were a first time show who didn’t know how to play the game…but we’re showing up and learning how to do this and simply announcing that we have arrived, Bozeman is here.”

This was all accomplished within their first year membership in the International Thespian Society.

Nov. 2023 “Atypical Boy” Credit: Katelyn Fidler

The goal of this program was to not create actors, but humans that people want to be around, to be understanding, and confident.

Spencer, a senior in the program, has said that this program has made them “become more understanding and recognize that not everyone is going to be set in stone one way or another, and that I have to look at each perspective.”

Abigiale Tavernier, a sophomore, stated that this club has helped her discover the dream of being a director and has also helped her become “better with public speaking. It helped me feel more confident in myself and stop caring what other people think about me.”

Gorman’s hope for the students after leaving high school is to not be afraid of rejection stating “I want them to learn that life doesn’t give you what you want. You don’t get cast in the part you thought you wanted. You get in the cast in the part that you actually need.”

This program has been a saving grace for many students at Bozeman and has given them a place to have a positive environment to pour themselves into.

May 2024 “We Will Rock You” Credit: Katelyn Fidler

One of the best ways to support small theater programs is to attend a show because “What is the point of theater if nobody is sitting in the audience” Gorman states.

Buy a ticket, sit in the audience and take it all in because you are witnessing a unique show in real time that will never be done again the same. There is nothing like the interaction between audience and performers while waiting for something to happen.

Donations like technology such as sound and lighting equipment or old clothes, tablecloths, and curtains could be used for set design or costumes.

Nov. 2024 “The Cry of the Peacock” Credit: Jaden Lawson

Future performances:

• December 13th and 14th 2024 @ 7 PM : The high school main stage production will put on “The Twelve Huntsman.”
• February 13th and 14th 2025 @ 7 PM: The middle school production of “The Absolutely True Legend of King Arthur.”
• May 2nd and 3rd, 9th and 10th 2025: The main stage musical that is yet to be announced.

For any further questions, contact Erin Gorman at gormaek@bay.k12.fl.us and follow the instagram page @dbsdrama for future show information!