ABOVE: Martin County West students rehearse for their upcoming show, “Good Cop Bad Cop,” which will show this weekend at the Community Hall in Sherburn. The play is being directed by senior Odessa Stade. From left: Stade, Grant Koehnen, Jonah Streimer and Gabe Streimer.

SHERBURN– Martin County West High School’s upcoming play, “Good Cop Bad Cop,” is a student-directed play which will show this Saturday and Sunday in Sherburn. The play is being directed by senior Odessa Stade.

While students at the school have worked as assistant directors on productions, this is the first time a student has solely directed a play by themselves.

Stade said she had taken the initiative to ask if she could direct a play since, as a senior, it’s her last year with the school.

Parker Haug, the school’s band teacher, is serving as an advisor. He said they took into consideration Stade’s interest in pursuing theater and thought this would be an opportunity to provide her with good experience and show leadership.

Stade said the play is actually a dinner theater show and is raising money for the school’s arts department. The meal will be provided by Tami’s on the Ave. and will consist of pork chops, mashed potatoes and a salad.

Stade explained how she decided on this year’s play.

“I wanted to do a type of comedy play because I knew if I did a tragic play for a dinner theater show it would be pretty bad,” Stade said with a laugh.

Haug also pointed out that working on a comedy with peers is easier to delegate because students can have fun together.

Students auditioned for the production before Christmas and have been practicing four nights a week for the last month and a half. There are seven cast members grades 7 through 12. The props used in the production are from the school’s drama department and also sourced from cast members.

The students have been practicing in the lower level of the Community Hall in Sherburn. Stade shared she had contacted the Community Hall and asked what days they could use it for the play.

The school has previously used the theater in the upper level but since they’re doing a dinner theater show, Stade said they wanted to utilize the space in the lower level. Because it hasn’t been used in a number of years, Stade said she’s been toying with the lighting and sound.

“I think it’s cool they’re using the space because it brings another aspect back into the town of Sherburn. It hasn’t been used much in the past few years, but now we have a student-led play putting on a show for the community,” Haug said.

While she’s not cast in this play as she’s directing it, Stade said throughout her high school years she’s been switching off between productions at her school and at the Fairmont Opera House.

She shared that she got into theater her eighth grade year with her debut role as Dr. Einstein in “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Since then she’s been involved in a number of productions including starring as Sophie in “Mamma Mia!” last summer at the Fairmont Opera House.

After graduating she plans to pursue film acting. Stade shared what the upcoming production means to her.

“I always knew I wanted to direct a play but I didn’t know I’d be able to do it my senior year. I’m taking aspects from every director I’ve ever worked with and creating my own,” Stade said.

She also said she enjoys helping other students reach their full potential and being a resource to them.

“I’ve heard everyone in this play say they haven’t done this previously in other shows or have this experience so it’s cool that from a student-led experience new ideas and concepts are being brought out,” Haug said.

He said it’s also been nice to see different ages work together and see their ideas meld together.

“Being able to watch younger generations interact with each other and see someone who wants to become a future leader have that role is really inspiring for a teacher,” Haug said.

While Stade is fulfilling a dream of her own, she’s also thankful for those who have been beside her during this experience.

“My actors have worked really hard and I’m so proud of them,” Stade said.

“Good Cop Bad Cop” will show at 6 pm on Saturday at the Community Hall in Sherburn. Doors will open at 5 p.m. It will show again at 1 p.m. on Sunday and doors will open at noon.

The cost of a ticket is $25 and includes a meal. Tickets can be purchased from the Martin County West School District office or at the door.