MV’s theater department is putting on another great Popcorn Pete performance in Schweinfurth Theatre from April 26 through the 27. Popcorn Pete is a clown who hosts a children’s variety show each year. This year marks Popcorn Pete’s 58th annual show.
Mv’s cast and crews for the upcoming show have been preparing and setting up for the big night since the beginning of the school year.
“ We have almost 100 different characters and actors involved this year,” shared Kylie (Barbie) Halbin ‘25
Popcorn Pete consists of a wide variety of characters from popular children’s shows, and movies. This year’s characters include Barbie, Bluey, Guardians of the Galaxy, Tangled, Elementals, Peter Pan, Scooby Doo, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“Popcorn Pete is set to be Friday, April 26 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, April 27 at 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 6:00 pm,” stated Student Director Kaedance Morgan ‘24
How does one purchase tickets?
“This year Tickets are available at People’s National Bank, JJ’s Bar and Grill, and El Rancherito,” shared Morgan.
There’s a lot more work that goes into a show than people may think.
Halbin stated,“When preparing for the show, each skit has about an hour of practice per week for 2-3 weeks. Then we have 2 2.5-hour tech rehearsals one week, followed by 3 4.5-hour dress rehearsals the next week.”
“Popcorn Pete rehearsals are always way more relaxed than operetta rehearsals. Most of the preparations for shows are handled by skit chairmen, the drama club officers who wrote the skits, and then they cast people as the characters in their skit,” added Morgan
“We begin script writing in January. Drama Club members with experience and desire are selected to write scripts, and they must adhere to a common theme (ie: this year’s was “Family Reunion.”) Then, as soon as Operetta ends, they dive into rehearsals that fit their schedules. A month later, we put on a show,” shared Theater Director Mrs. Raquel Bliffen
Since there’s new characters every year the crowd gets a surprise when they walk in to see the characters
“The reactions from the kids whenever they get to meet their favorite characters is always one of my favorite things. Since they’re so young, they genuinely believe that the actors are the characters so their reactions definitely reflect that,” shared Morgan
This year the Popcorn Pete group is bigger than ever
Morgan States, “Popcorn Pete has become more student-led than ever before. We’ve also slowly added more and more people as the years have gone on. It went from around 45-50 people last year to 100 this year.”
Not only does MV have generations of families that attend each year, but also students who return each year to put on the show.
“This year is my second year doing Popcorn Pete,” shared Halbin.
Even though it takes a lot of time and effort it is worth it in the end.
“The reactions from the kids whenever they get to meet their favorite characters is always one of my favorite things. Since they’re so young, they genuinely believe that the actors are the characters so their reactions definitely reflect that,” stated Morgan.
“ Popcorn is always patient, kind, and curious! He’s accepting and tries to learn from his mistakes. He’s a great example to us all,” added Mrs. Bliffen.
