St. Johns Fine Arts Programs

The ability to problem-solve.

The ability to work well with others.

The ability to meet deadlines.

The ability to adapt to change.

The ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.

The ability to think on their feet.

The ability, and the willingness, to make decisions, and to accept responsibility for those decisions.

The ability to build a strong work ethic.

The ability to develop strong organizational skills.

Finally, the gift of creativity!

St. Johns High School Fall Musical 

The St. Johns High School Theatre Department was proud to present Roald Dahl's Matilda, a musical based on the 1988 children's novel by the same name. The story centers on Matilda, a precocious girl with the gift of telekinesis, who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life. 

Matilda was under the direction of Mr. Barry Palmer, Mr. Josh Heethuis, Mr. Jarod Moyer, Mrs. Dawn Flynn, Mr. Luke Smith and our incredible choreographer Ms. Madison Shutes.  

• DVD Information

St. Johns has competed in MIFA's theatre competition since its inception.  With countless state qualifications and 10 state championships, St. Johns has a proven track record of excellence in competition.  The current directors are Jackie and Nathan Charneski. St. Johns takes a 45-minute cutting and competes at the district and regional levels each year, to qualify for the state festival.

The competition production is primarily student-led.  The directors will hold auditions and crew interviews in November each year.  Once the cast and crew list is posted, rehearsals are held daily Monday-Friday and occasional Saturdays from December through February.  Competitions take place on Saturdays from the end of January through mid-February.

For additional information about MIFA theatre events in the state of Michigan, please visit the MIFA Theatre website.

Former directors include Bob Koger, Barbara Markman, and Ashley Bowen.

The Forensics Team allows students to compete as a team representing their school, performing in individual public speaking and acting events.  The forensics season typically takes place from the end of February through May.  Students travel to schools around the state on various Saturdays during this time to compete in tournaments against other schools.  Students have the opportunity to earn individual awards as well as school awards.  The Forensics Team is able to attend these tournaments through membership in the Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association (MIFA) and Michigan Speech Coaches Incorporated (MSCI).

PUBLIC SPEAKING EVENTS

• Broadcasting - Students prepare a 5-minute news broadcast with international, national, state, and local news, sports, weather, and a 1-minute editorial about a chosen article from the news copy.

• Extemporaneous - Students have 45 minutes to prepare and present a structured speech based on a current event using a file of research that they have prepared in advance.

• Impromptu - Students have 6 minutes to prepare and present a structured speech interpreting a quote and supporting their interpretation with examples.

• Informative - Students perform a 5-8 minute speech informing the audience about a topic, complete with visual aids.

• Oratory - Students perform a 7-10 minute speech that is persuasive.

• Sales - Students perform a 5-8 minute speech selling a product or service, complete with visual aids.  

INTERPRETATION EVENTS

• Dramatic Interpretation -  Students perform a 5-8 minute cutting from a play or film script.

• Prose - Students perform a 5-8 minute cutting from a short story or novel.

• Duo - Two students perform a 7-10 minute cutting from a play, film script, or novel.

• Multiple - Three to eight students perform a 10-15 minute cutting from a play, film script, or novel.

• Poetry - Students perform a 5-8 minute poem or collection of poems centered around a common theme.

• Storytelling - Students perform a 5-8 minute cutting from children's literature, folk tales, or mythology.

• For additional information about MIFA forensics, please visit the MIFA Individual Events (Forensics) page.

Forensics Coach

Mrs. Jaclyn Charneski

 charneskij@sjredwings.org.