McNary high school’s theater department is showing its latest production for this semester, Mary Poppins. This musical is showing in McNary's auditorium from January 25-28. 

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Senior Jason Maurer plays George Banks; the father of the Banks family. “George and his personality is very self-centered, very rough around the edges, but me as a person, I am not. Being the bad guy is something I’ve had to get used to,” Maurer said.

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While some people struggle with singing and dancing, others can easily create art through their bodies. Maurer is a split of both. He’s been doing band since the 5th grade. 

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“Singing to me is just making music with my mouth instead of an instrument,” Maurer said, “I've always been the type of person to get up on stage. I'm kind of used to making a fool of myself in front of people, it’s something for them to enjoy”. 

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Maurer has also met more people and created more friendships along the way. “It’s been a ton of fun getting to know these new people. Just being a part of a big group, and learning the interactions between everyone. I love how in the theatre everyone knows everyone and it’s not circles of the main cast and everyone else; we’re all one big family,” Maurer said, “It’s going to be so fun. We've been preparing this for several months, since the beginning of the school year so I’m really excited about it.”

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Senior Kiele Jarnagin is also an actress in Mary Poppins and plays Winifred Banks who is the mother of the Banks family, and the wife of George Banks.  

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“I am so happy, for whatever reason I’ve always wanted to play a mom character. In my Freshman year, I played a mom in one act and it was definitely my sort of vibe so it makes me super excited that I got Winifred.” Jarnagin said.

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Jarnagin said, “My favorite part is probably all of the sets. We’re going bigger and better this year; we have big sets and there are a lot of technical aspects that I’m super excited to see come together.” 

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Theatre also comes with challenges, “My biggest challenge I would say is the British accent,” Jarnagin said. 

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Singing is another challenge for Jarnagin, “The singing is definitely challenging. I wouldn't say I’m a very good singer but I am a big fan of the songs, especially ensemble songs. Me and the people who are playing the family members get to be in the wings watching and singing along so it’s been fun, but challenging,” she sai

Jarnagin is someone who likes the eyes on her, “I’ve always been doing theatre, and I started my freshman year so I've always been the outgoing type of person. I've always loved being on stage and being a part of big productions, so anytime I get a chance to be onstage I take it”, she said.

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 “I love working with my co-stars. I definitely take my role very seriously, and I've taken on my motherly role so whenever I see them in the hallways I’m always acting like they’re my children and we usually hug each other. So it kind of made us a family,” Jarnagin said.

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Jarnagin couldn’t be any more thrilled for the show: “ I’m so excited, especially this one. I have been in 3 musicals so far but Mary Poppins has always been my favorite growing up so this is the one I'm probably most excited for.”

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Senior Gage DuBois, Plays as Bert who in the show is one of Mary Poppin’s closest friends in the musical.

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“Being my character not only is a lot of fun, but it’s also a challenge because I'm acting in an accent like a British accent and I’ve never done that before” DuBois said.

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 “Singing is not easy at all. I spent at least one month in the summer before school trying to learn everything and figuring it out. But It's a lot of fun- it’s amazing,” DuBois said.

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DuBois also mentioned dancing, “I’ve never really done dancing before. The only dancing I’ve really done has been musical theatre-related and that’s given me the opportunity to work with choreographers, and dance instructors, and it’s been a lot of fun,” he said.

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To look at how much passion these actors have for this production, is just by how enlivened they are for it all.  “I think excited would be an understatement. We’ve been working on this for half the school year now and it’s going to be amazing.” DuBois said.

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