Pioneer goes 'Big' with spring theater performance

Apr. 21—"Kids think they have the world figured out, but they really don't," said Pioneer High School teacher and theater director Dan McDonald as he waited for his actors to arrive for rehearsal.

McDonald said that's a horrifying thought to parents because even they don't have the world figured out.

And that is the crux of "Big," a musical adaptation of the 1988 Tom Hanks film.

"Big" tells the story of Josh (played by Jasper Heiny and Austin Brooke), who makes a wish to be big at a carnival after a moment of humiliation and heartbreak. The next morning, he awakes to find himself in an adult body.

"It's about growing up and finding yourself," said Brooke, a sophomore. "Young Josh makes a wish on Zoltar to become big and then big Josh kind of has to maneuver adult life and he realizes that you can't just wish yourself into being older."

Brooke said "Big" is the first musical that Pioneer has performed since 2019.

That has brought some challenges for the actors and stage crew.

The play features an ensemble cast playing multiple roles, large dance numbers and also many set changes.

"The show has been stressful at some points," said Madyson Bullock, a senior. "But we've gotten used to it and everyone has pitched in to help get the show looking the best it can."

Jasper Heiny, a seventh grader and youngest member of the cast, plays young Josh. This is Heiny's second theater performance.

"You get to meet a lot of people and I think that's the best part of it," he said. "It's a fun role to play."

Heiny shares stage time at the beginning of the play with eighth grader Ellison Kitchell, who plays Josh's best friend, Billy.

"It's been hard turning into a teenage boy but it's been really fun because that was my favorite part of the movie," she said.

Kitchell was excited for this weekend's audiences to see the cast perform numbers such as "Cross the Line", "Coffee, Black" and especially "It's Time," where she gets to rap.

"It's really fun and energetic," she said.

The pacing of "Big" is frenetic. There is constant action in the background. Each moment pushes the story forward and the set pieces are frequently moved on and off the stage. Energy and enthusiasm abounded Wednesday evening during rehearsal and that was with some cast members going at half speed, saving their voices for the weekend.

Maddie Schreyer, a sophomore playing Susan Lawrence, Josh's adult love interest, was one of those cast members taking it easy. She still managed to command attention when she finally stepped on stage.

"It's such a good show," she said. "There are a few scenes in the show that are my favorites, like "Dancing All the Time" and a few scenes with just me and Austin Brooke."

This is Schreyer's second performance. Previously homeschooled, she said she has been enjoying her time at Pioneer.

"I'm honored to have a lead role," she said. "It's kind of life changing. Theater, it's really more like a family. And everyone here has been so nice."

Showtimes for "Big" are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday night. A Sunday matinee begins at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. Pioneer Junior/ Senior High School is located at 417 S Chicago St. in Royal Center.

Seniors say goodbye

Those who attend a performance of "Big" this weekend will have an opportunity to say goodbye to the graduating seniors who helped keep Pioneer theater moving during a pandemic.

Among the seniors are Bullock, Carley Johnson and tech crew member Alex Pawlowski.

"It's a mixture of excitement and kind of a bittersweet feeling," said Bullock. "I've been with Pioneer theater for seven years. I don't want it to end but also at the same time I do want it to end. I'm planning to do theater in college and I also do Junior Civic Theater over the summer. So, it's not like my last show. I'm going to do shows after this, still."

Bullock will study special education at Ball State.

She said she has loved seeing theater grow at Pioneer and hopes that continues after she graduates.

"There are people finding the love of theater that we had before COVID, she said. "I'm just excited that the cast is up to the level that we were before."

"I really want to cry about it because it's family," said Johnson. "I've made very close connections with people here. Theater has had a big impact in my life and I plan on continuing to do it even after I graduate high school."

Johnson is planning to attend Indiana State University to study art education with a minor in theater.

She said when she was younger that she was never the best at communicating her feelings.

"When I watched movies I always acted like the characters," she said. "Doing theater and acting like other characters, they made me more confident in myself, they made me unafraid to make mistakes. It had a great impact on my whole high school experience."

Pawlowski has been part of the tech crew since he was in seventh grade. He said he loved theater but doesn't like to be on stage. Tech was a great way for him to remain involved. This weekend he will be running the theater lights.

"I think of it as my job is to direct the audience's attention," he said. "The things that are meant to be focused on are being highlighted and it is still important to get lights up in time and making sure the audience doesn't see scene changes."

Pawlowski will go to Valparaiso to study English Communications.

Brooke said the seniors had a joy for theater and had been very supportive of the younger actors and he learned about having a strong work ethic from them.

He said it was sad but also exciting as the cast approaches the last performances for their seniors.

"They get to move on to a whole new part of their life and most of them will be continuing on their love of theater," he said. "So, while it's sad to see them leave I'm excited to see where it takes them."

Heiny said the seniors had taught him how to maintain his composure and keep pushing onward when something unexpected happened on stage.

"I'm going to miss them a lot," said Schreyer. "They have definitely helped me through a lot of the stressful times—just being there for me and encouraging me."