Pirates take the stage at Groton Elementary School

The Groton Junior High School Drama Club (JHSDC) is set to take the stage for its production of “Silver’s Secret,” a pirate’s tale in one act written by Charlotte Nixon, Thursday, Nov. 16. Due to the mitigation of water damage in the high school auditorium, the JHSDC will not only be performing on the elementary school cafetorium stage, it will also be hosting its first-ever dinner theater, with a baked ziti and meatball dinner preceding the show. 

Chef John Scott, who is best known for Scottland Lights, an amazing holiday light show synchronized with music at his home at 411 Peru Rd., will prepare the meal.  

Lena Brehm, a junior at Groton High School (GHS), is one of several students who will help serve the meal. She said she is glad to help with the event.  

“I think the show is going to be very engaging for the crowd, and they won’t have to make dinner at home,” Brehm said. “Everyone is putting so much hard work into this.” 

Co-directed by Kayla Lyon, a GHS 2008 alumna, and Annette Twitchell, GHS French teacher and Drama Club director, “Silver’s Secret” is a lively tale about the treasure Long John Silver leaves to his three children: Blackbeard, Red Beard and No Beard. Before he dies, Silver sends his children on an adventure to find his greatest treasure, which involves visiting fascinating places where they meet a variety of interesting characters before discovering the secret behind their father’s dying wish. 

“I generally haven’t been involved with the junior high productions,” Twitchell said, “but because of the renovations happening in the high school auditorium, I wanted to be sure the junior high production still happened, and I wanted to guide that process. While Kayla and I were planning to use the elementary school facilities, we didn’t want the students to be disappointed that they wouldn’t be on the big stage, so we came up with the idea of the dinner theater.”  

Eighth-grader Jack Ingram, who plays Long John Silver, has played roles in “Rumpelstiltskin, Private Eye” and “The Enchanted Bookshop.” He said he really enjoys acting.  

“I like my role in this and being able to express it,” Ingram said. “I get to shout and yell and other stuff I wouldn’t do if I wasn’t acting. The costumes are all really good, and it’s a dinner theater, which almost no other school has done.” 

Ingram is Student Council president and National Junior Honor Society president. He plays percussion in band, jazz band and community band, and he plays soccer and participates in track and field. He is also a volunteer at the Groton Public Library. 

Also in eighth grade are Tristan McCracken and Josie Ross, who play Black Beard and No Beard, respectively.  

McCracken plays trumpet in band and basketball, and he said his role is his favorite character.  

“I like it because I like pirates, and my character [Black Beard] has the biggest sword and the funniest costume,” McCracken said. “It’s going to be really funny, and everyone should come and see it!” 

Ross, who has been involved in several other productions, plays percussion in band, sings in chorus, participates in track and field and is also in Art Club and National Junior Honor Society. 

“It’s an amazing play,” Ross said. “Everyone gets their own moment to shine, whether speaking or not. This is really one of the better plays I have been in and [No Beard] is a suitable character for me and how I express myself.” 

Trey Dwyer is in sixth grade but has been involved in GHS plays since he made his debut as Gavroche in “Les Misérables” in 2022. He plays Red Beard in this production. 

“I think it’s really funny, and it’s not too long,” Dwyer said. “I like my character because he is really funny and doesn’t have too many lines. My costume is a little hot, but it’s funny because I have a beard and a hat.” 

Dwyer plays soccer, basketball and baseball, is involved in chorus and plays alto saxophone in band.  

Making up the remainder of the cast are Sadie Adams, Caleb Barrows, James Bogart, Jenice Bogart, Leah Bogart, Peyton Conger, Emily Cotterill, Michaela Durkee, Emily Ford, Coco Jiang, Aurora Komala, Trinity Lane, Nattalie Lombardi, Macie Lucas, Liesl Moll, Selena Neiss, Alice O’Brien, Harper O’Neil, Silas St. Clair, Tracer Strange, Torianna Toro, Mariah VanEtten and Catriona Williams. 

Isabella Acevedo, Elli Cotterill, Ella Koenig, Nate Koenig, Liam McGarrigle, Alyssa Sunderland and Allyssa Welch are students who are in the stage crew. 

Lyon, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts in 2012 from Nazareth College, has been part of the theater community as a performer, stage manager and director for 22 years, 10 of which have been at GHS. She works at McNeil & Co. in its risk management department and is an active community member.  

“Theater, to me, has always been the ultimate shared human experience,” Lyon said. “Theater performers can take us away from the woes, pain and strife of everyday life and bring us joy, laughter, insight and stories of those before us, within us and who will come after us. Directing and coaching these students for the last 10 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Watching their personal growth through the journey of theater is inspiring and exciting. I am endlessly grateful to know them and teach them.”  

Haley Georgia, a social studies teacher at GHS, and Morgan Dittman, GHS 2020 alumna, are assistant directors. Brian Twitchell is the tech director, and Brynn Blasz, GHS senior, is a student assistant.  

“I have been acting and involved with the drama club for the past six years,” Blasz said. “I have worked with Mrs. Twitchell and always admired how she could put together such beautiful productions. Theater has always been something that I have looked forward to taking part in. Putting in all the hard work and dedication to see it all play out in the end is one of my favorite moments.” 

Blasz also said she has realized that she would like to become a director. Inspired by Twitchell, she hopes to create her own productions in the film industry, and she began thinking about how she could become involved and get more hands-on experience.  

“I decided to get in touch with Mrs. Twitchell,” Blasz said. “She told me that I could shadow her, and I happily accepted. I showed up to all the rehearsals possible and helped in every way I could. Whether it was costumes, helping the actors run their lines, helping set up or watching the directing, I was there. Though it was a long and bumpy process, I greatly appreciated this opportunity and the hands-on experience that Ms. Lyon and Mrs. Twitchell provided me. I couldn’t have asked for a better job shadow experience.” 

Separately, Dittman approached Annette this past summer to inquire about volunteering her time to assist in any productions this year, and Annette readily took Dittman up on the offer. 

“Being involved in this production has been an absolute joy,” Dittman said. “I knew that stepping into this position would allow me to continue pursuing the arts while balancing schoolwork. It has been a wonderful opportunity to be involved in an activity that I love!”  

Dittman explained that her position involves working with the cast members to enhance character development skills as well as aiding in the behind-the-scenes details such as stage layout, character blocking and costuming.  

“Participation in this production has been extremely helpful in preparing me for future endeavors in the arts, event organization and team building, while teaching me how to balance work and play,” Dittman said. “I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this production, and I look forward to any future productions!”  

The show will begin at 7 p.m. in the cafetorium, 516 Elm St., following dinner that will be served starting at 6 p.m. in the same location.  

Dinner tickets are $10 per person, and $7 for children under age 10. Dessert-only tickets are $2 each. Show tickets are $5 for adults, and $3 for children under age 10. 

“As it turns out, I really like this space for the junior high play,” Twitchell said. “It’s not as overwhelming for these students as the big stage — they can really own this one! Brian brought in theatrical lighting for them. Our art teacher, Amber Novack Landers, painted the ocean waves that will be seen in the play, and it’s going to be great!” 

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922.  

In brief: 

Meatloaf in McLean 

The McLean Community Church, 50 Church St., will serve a meatloaf dinner from 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18. The $15-per-person meal will include old-fashioned meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes, vegetable medley, homemade apple crisp and beverage. Takeout meals are also available. 

Thanksgiving pies and baked goods 

The Groton Assembly of God’s Women’s Ministries will hold its annual Thanksgiving pie and bake sale from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Nov. 22 in the church foyer, 701 S. Main St. 

Apple, Dutch apple, cherry, pumpkin and blueberry pies, as well as other varieties, will be available at $10 each for an eight-inch pie and $15 each for nine-inch pies. Cranberry, pumpkin, banana, zucchini and other sweet breads will also be on hand at $5 each. Various other breads, cookies, cupcakes and dessert bars may also be purchased.  

New last year was a coffee and pastry café on site, and that is back by popular demand. Relax and have a refreshment break for yourself or with a friend or group of friends before you head home to begin preparing the meal for Thursday!   

Outstanding CTE students 

The following Groton students were recognized as outstanding students of the month for September and October at the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Career and Technical Education Center.  

September: Nick Hall, Welding; David Shea, Heavy Equipment; Connor Slater, Outdoor Recreation; and Jacob Zigenfus, Heavy Equipment. 

October: Kairi Adsitt, Criminal Justice; Riley Lockwood, Exercise and Health Science. 

Outstanding students are chosen based on qualities such as character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance. They must also be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and a positive role model. 

Congratulations to these exceptional career and tech students in our school!