Troy High School Drama Club puts on a show to remember

Director Samantha Willis, right, and Det. Kendra Drake, played by Christina Hammer, perform in the Troy High School Drama Club's 'This Murder Was Staged,' Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Shelby Cole performs in the Troy High School Drama Club's 'This Murder Was Staged,' Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

The audience enjoys a performance of Troy High School Drama Club's 'This Murder Was Staged,' Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Alexis Bartlett and Allyson Welch perform in the Troy High School Drama Club's 'This Murder Was Staged,' Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Dakota Scott prepares to perform in the Troy High School Drama Club's 'This Murder Was Staged,' Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Troy High School drama teacher Mike Lidgett before the beginning of 'This Murder Was Staged.' (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Zack McNeff, Cloe Stedman, Eli Willis, Alexis Bartlett and Adam Stephenson prepare to perform in the Troy High School Drama Club's 'This Murder Was Staged,' Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Actress Josie Ritchey mugs for the camera prior to the Troy High School Drama Club's 'This Murder Was Staged,' Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Betsy Pierce works on Aspen Chew's makeup before the Troy High School Drama Club's 'This Murder Was Staged,' Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

Christina Hammer performs the role of Det. Kendra Drake in the Troy High School Drama Club's 'This Murder Was Staged,' Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)

by SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER
The Western News | February 14, 2025 7:00 AM

The show did go on!

Despite some unforeseen setbacks, Troy High School Auditorium hosted two shows Friday and Saturday evening.

The Troy High School Drama Club presented, “This Murder was Staged,” in the high school auditorium.

Director Samantha Willis was relieved the performances made it to the stage.

“We had some setbacks a few days before opening night with some of the performers dropping out, so we just had to delay it and regroup,” Willis said.

Willis was appreciative of Carl Prucker for donating backstage equipment, Laurie Hicks for donating to the drama club and the students and their parents for the long hours of involvement.

“This Murder Was Staged” is actually a play within another play, “A Spot of Murder.”

The first act of “This Murder Was Staged” is the conclusion of “A Spot of Murder” where director Sinclair Hemmings is found dead. Det. Lucy Savere, played by Christina Hammer, is called in to investigate.

According to Hammer’s bio in the program, she’s in her fourth and final year of high school theatre. She will graduate high school this spring.

Assistant director Mike Lidgett teaches drama at Troy. He used to act professionally in Oregon before moving to Montana.

“It’s been really enjoyable to be involved in these productions and have a chance to teach drama here in Troy,” Lidgett said.

Here’s a look at the rest of the cast and crew:

Alexis Bartlett, sophomore

Aspen Chew, seventh grade

Shelby Cole, junior

Kevin Hake, junior

Emmette Lamson, sixth grade

Mike Lidgett, assistant director, lights/sound/set design

Zach McNeff, seventh grade

Betsy Pierce, hair/makeup

Josie Ritchey, sixth grade

Dakota Scott, sixth grade

Cloe Steadman: junior

Adam Stephenson

Eli Willis, third grade

Samantha Willis, director

Allyson Welch, junior