West High School -

West High School is proud to offer drama club. The West High drama club is committed to providing a positive theatrical experience for all students by empowering them to participate in superior theatrical productions. Through involvement in drama and theater, students learn valuable life skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.  West High is proud of our accomplishments and will continue to strive for excellence.  

The West High drama program hosts two plays a year – one fall play that is either a comedy or a drama, and a spring musical.  West High is the only school in Sioux City that mounts a musical annually. 

Past musical productions include:

• Mamma Mia - 2023

• Grease: School Edition - 2022

• Little Shop of Horrors - 2021

• Avenue Q - 2020

• 13 - 2019

• Songs for a New World - 2018

• Godspell - 2017

• Mame - 2016

• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - 2015

• Guys and Dolls - 2014

• Jane Eyre - 2013

• Beauty and the Beast - 2012

• Sweeney Todd: School Edition - 2011

• South Pacific - 2010

• Footloose - 2009

• Cats - 2008

• 42nd St. - 2007

• The Secret Garden - 2006

• Aida - 2005

• Jekyl and Hyde - 2004

• Les Miserables - 2003

• Ragtime 2002

The drama club alternates comedies and dramas every other year to give students diverse experiences. Along with familiarity in both styles of theatre straight shows and musicals, students also receive experience in technical theatre and acting fields.  

Beyond the Theatre 

The West High drama club also competes in the Large Group and Individual Events categories of the Iowa High School Speech Association.  West High students have won Iowa High School Speech Association All-State (IHSSA) honors in One Act, Readers Theatre, and Ensemble Acting. Student have also won Individual Event categories in IHSSA and National Forensic League.  These experiences further our students’ reasoning and speaking capabilities.   

Students who have made theatre into a livelihood are: 

• Antoine Smith (Broadway), Juan Ahumada (Metropolitan Opera Company),  

• Jesse  (Atkinson) Bangarang (New York). Colin Morgan (Chicago),  

• Charlie Morgan (Minneapolis) 

• J. J. Sitzman (Minneapolis),  

Additionally, numerous performers from high school go on to own/operate theatres and studios and work for in educational and community theatres.  

Amanda Gibson
Drama Director
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