Wellsville-Middletown students are participating in a play that shows what life can be like without cell phones.

The cast of 16 students will play in The Great Cell Catastrophe, which is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the W-M gymnasium. Jami Williams is the director and Roni Bradley is the assistant director of a play that is about students being adjusted to social life in a phone-free environment.

“I think it’s really cool,” said W-M senior Kylie Allison, who plays one of the Fosse Dancers. “I think it kind of relates to what’s going on since we can’t use our phones in school.”

The use of cell phones in school has been an issue in Missouri schools this year as cell phones are not allowed to be used while school is in session.
Bradley said she is looking forward to the comedic production. The cast has been practicing for over a month.

“I’m really excited about it,” Bradley said. “I think it’s going to be a great play.”

The main character is Stevie, which will be played by freshman Leo Oligschlaeger. He falls in love with a girl named Stella and sends her texts. But after Stella didn’t return the text messages, Stevie decides to turn off all of the cell phones in town. Stella will be played by junior Aubrey Harmon.

“I really like the character,” Oligschlaeger said. “I’m really excited to do it.”

Besides Allison, seniors Brooke Stroup and Helanea McKenzie are the other Fosse Dancers in the play. They’re the only seniors in the production.
Allison said she’s excited about her fourth and final play at W-M.

“I think this is one of my favorite roles that I have done out of all of the plays,” the senior said. “Although I don’t really have much to say, I feel like I contribute a lot, like a funny character.”

Jade Thompson (Ramona), Kristen Bradley (Nina) and Liam Wilkinson (Frankie) will play the cool kids. Zeke Bradley (Lenny) and Kara Freie (Lucy) will play the nerds.

Caden Orick and Mia Romecka will play the Puritans, Elly Cash will play Connie Kawalski the Chicken and Silas Jones and Charlie Freie will play the police officers.

Romecka, who is a foreign exchange student from Poland, is ecstatic about her first play.

“I just wanted to try new things,” she said.

The play is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. The cost of the tickets is $10 for reserved gym floor seating and $5 for open bleacher seating. Tickets can be purchased by contacting one of the cast members or the directors.