Two-act Shakespearean play opens in Oakhurst tomorrow
BY IRENE THIRLWALL - ITHIRLWALL@SIERRASTAR.COM

IRENE THIRLWALL
Friends, Joaquin Morales, Michael Haar and Sean Ratchford are directing and starring in a play showing all 37 of Shakespear’s works as Haar’s senior project.

Every student at Yosemite High School, once they become a senior, will have the task of completing a senior project in order to graduate. One young man, Michael Haar, is one such senior and he is fortunate to have the help of two of his friends, who have already completed their own senior projects.

Beginning tomorrow, April 14 at 7 p.m. the three young men will kick-off a three-day showing of Haar’s senior project, a play consisting of the complete works of Shakespeare abridged by the reduced Shakespeare Company in two acts. The production will be shown at 7 p.m. on April 15 and 16 as well. All three showings will be held in the YHS performing arts center. Tickets are $5, with proceeds being donated to a charity yet to be designated.

Haar will be accompanied by seniors, Sean Ratchford and Joaquin Morales, with Michael McCarty providing technical support.

“This is a rollicking comedy,” said Lars Thorson, theater arts director at YHS. “[A comedy] in which three men attempt to present all 37 of the bard’s works in one 90-minute show.”

Haar said he first got the idea while he was in drama class last year, where he watched a video of this play. He said he really enjoyed it and felt that it would make a good senior project.

“It’s a massive undertaking,” Haar said. “This is a professional show with only three guys to perform. It’s amazing, these guys giving me all their time.”

Ratchford and Morales each completed their own senior projects. Ratchford’s project involved a special education basketball program, where he worked with special needs youth. Morales also worked with youth during his project, coaching boys under 12 years-of-age on a soccer team that took first place.

Both Ratchford and Morales are enjoying their time helping out. The three students said they have been rehearsing since the beginning of the year, using whatever spare time they can find, before school, but mostly on weekends, they said.

The three may look familiar to the public since they were also involved in the recent Romeo and Juliet play at YHS. During school, other plays and just being a teenager, the three young men have had a busy year, but have kept a positive attitude.

“It’s probably the most fun we ever had,” Ratchford said. “Been a lot of work, but it will pay off on Thursday.”

Morales felt the same about the project.

“I think it’s great doing a play with these two guys,” Morales said. “They are open to the opinions and ideas I have.”

Ratchford agreed, “We think alike, it’s nice having a flexible and open-minded relationship.”

Haar said he is looking forward to the weekend and seeing the hard work come together.

“This will be my greatest weekend in drama in three years,” he said.
For more information, call (559) 683-4667.

Yosemite Joint Union High School District News