Photo by Nancy Alvarado

After Mr. Buringrud left no teacher was hired to replace his position, so the two classes were canceled. “I left for Strathmore because my wife and I have been dreaming of working together for years,” says Mr. Buringrud, “This was an opportunity that may not have ever come up again, and I acted upon it with a lot of sadness in my heart.”

Many people believe that drama was just an elective that students took to get an easy “A,” however, the class took time and dedication. “Drama allows students the opportunity to experiment with the way they communicate with the world. It is a workshop where students can practice how they move, speak, and relate to their environment,” explains Mr. Buringrud.

“I wanted to be an actor and now my dreams are crushed,” responded Jake Murdock, when questioned about how he felt when he found out that the class would no longer be offered. The students that took the class saw acting as a possible career that they could pursue in the future.

When Mr. Buringrud informed his students that he would be leaving, they thought that it was implied that a new teacher would be hired in his position and were dumbfounded when they found out that no teacher was hired. “The students were hoping like I was that we would hire an English teacher that had a drama background so none of that happened and now we don’t have Drama,” says Mrs. Duncan, when asked how she felt about there no longer being a drama class.

Play Production and Theater Appreciation no longer exist, however, a new class will be offered to these students that have room in their schedule. The class will focus on the musical aspect of theater. The class will be taught by the new Choir director, Ms. Efseaff. Students can go to their counselor and ask about getting put into the class. Also, for students that are willing to take two periods at Porterville High School, they can bus over and take Play Production at Porterville.