Author: Karen Dux

Teamwork activity in Management class today. Who’s tower is taller?

Southern Fried Funeral hits the stage Nov. 15-17, 2019

FAIRBURY – Tickets are now on sale for Fairbury Jr./Sr. High School’s annual fall stage production, Southern Fried Funeral, which will run for three performances on the third weekend of November.

The show features 11 eighth through twelfth graders on stage and several stage crew members. It follows last year’s South Pacific, which drew over 185 to each performance in Fairbury’s own Burkley Fine Arts Center that accommodates about 350.

Directors Joseph Fitzgerald and Natalie Julin-McCleary began their planning in the summer months preceding school after narrowing down from several show possibilities. “When picking a show, we have several considerations in mind,” Fitzgerald explained. “We like to offer variety to students from year-to-year, but we also have to consider if we are going to be able to adequately meet the casting requirements.”

Dewey Frye is dead and the rest of his family is left to pick up the pieces — that is if they don’t kill each other first. Not only does matriarch Dorothy have to contend with sudden widowhood, but she’s also faced with church-committee harpy Ozella Meeks sticking her nose in the family business, Dewey’s snake-in-the-grass brother making a grab for her house, and two grown daughters reliving their childhood rivalry. Funerals bring out the worst, the best, and the funniest in people, and the Fryes are no exception. A big-hearted comedy about family — Southern-style.

Cast members include Hailie Nicholson as Dorothy Frye, Lauren Patton as Ozella Meeks, Taylor Runge as Uncle Dub Frye, Natalie Rogge as Sammy Jo Frye-Lefette, and Kacy Starck as Harlene Frye.

Show times are Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., and Sunday Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets for the general public are $8 and $6 for students. VIP tickets are also available for $15 and guarantee a reserved seat plus a souvenir. Purchase available tickets at the door or ahead of time by calling 402.729.6116 or emailing theater@fairburyjeffs.org. If interested in volunteering your abilities, time, or efforts please email jfitzgerald@fairburyjeffs.org. 

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Congratulations to Natalie Rogge, who was selected to be part of the 2019 NMEA All State Chorus, and Jason Hughes and Taylor Runge who were selected to be part of the 2019 Concordia Musical Arts Day Honor Choir.

Each year, approximately 3,000 of the best high school musicians in the state audition for the Nebraska All-State Band, Chorus, Jazz Band and Orchestra which are sponsored by the Nebraska Music Education Association. Selection as a member of one of these groups is one of the highest music honors attainable in Nebraska. Mr. Chris Storm, Director of Choral Affairs for the Nebraska Music Education Association, is pleased to announce that Natalie Rogge, Soprano 1, will be among the 440 students selected to be a part of the 2019 All-State Chorus. Guest conductor for the group will be Dr. Brady Allred, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Salt Lake Choral Artists in Salt Lake City, Utah. The All-State Chorus will rehearse Thursday, November 21st through Saturday, November 23rd on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, the host site of the 2019 NMEA Conference/ Clinic. A final public concert will be held on Saturday, November 23rd at the Lied Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.

Each year, the best vocal and instrumental high school musicians from around the country audition for the opportunity to work with Concordia’s music department students and faculty in clinics and rehearsals during the university’s Musical Arts Day. Jason Hughes and Taylor Runge were selected for this. Singers and instrumentalists receive a full day of high energy, focused rehearsing and acclaimed performances. Participants work closely with Concordia music faculty and students throughout an entire day that culminates with a concert featuring performances by the high school honor choir and band, selected soloists, and members of Concordia’s University A Cappella Choir and University Symphonic Band. This concert will take place on Friday, November 8th at 6:30pm in the Walz Human Performance Complex Arena.