Members of the Union High School Theater Department react to something ‘scary’ during the Saturday, Nov. 16 performance of “Things That Go Bump in the Night” at Matt Auditorium in La Porte City. Those pictured include (l-r) Ella Grote in the lead role of Charlotte Browning, Prudy Weber (seated) as elderly neighbor Mrs. Haggis, Erica Hoppe in the lead role of Emily Browning, Jersey Siech as caretaker Gilda Willikers, Lauren Frush as local historian Professor Fairing, and Addie Engel as real estate agent Jean Randall. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – Last weekend there was an abundance of peculiar clinking, scraping, and tapping sounds taking place on Union High School’s Matt Auditorium stage as members of the school’s theater department skillfully performed the comedy mystery “Things That Go Bump in the Night” under first-year director Holden Caloud.

“Although I never directed a play [before], I do have theatrical experience,” Caloud, a graduate of nearby Hudson High School who now teaches social studies at UHS, told the newspaper in an email. “When I was in high school at Hudson, I participated in various musicals all four years I was there. Additionally, every year since I have been at Union I have helped with the musical in some way whether I played an extra on stage for a scene or played saxophone in the pit.”

While Caloud was the play’s official director this year, he said the production was student-initiated in the wake of the former director’s resignation.

“When it came to play selection, I actually did not pick this play at all,” Caloud explained. “The [students] went to our administration asking if they could still do their play as a student-led production. Administration felt that they still needed a supervisor to do purchasing, auditions, and run practices.”

On both Friday and Saturday nights last weekend beginning at 7 p.m., the cast staged “Things That Go Bump in the Night,” a one-act, ensemble production by Michael Druce. The performance spanned just over an hour with much of the action taking place inside the sitting room of the fictional Fielding Manor located in the English countryside.

From left, Ella Grote and Erica Hoppe in the lead roles of the Browning sisters alongside Kyra Murray as Adele (cook) and Kendra Stock as Maggie (housekeeper). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Ten Union high school students were cast in the play including senior Erica Hoppe and junior Ella Grote who expertly took on the lead roles of sisters Emily and Charlotte Browning, respectively.

The play’s plot revolves around the pair of sister writers leasing Fielding Manor for a month while Charlotte works to finish her latest novel but instead of writing, the curious women spend much of their time trying to determine the source of all the strange noises and occurrences taking place around them. While a few surprises did jolt the audience on Saturday night, the various ‘bumps in the night’ served more to propel the detective work of the charming cast along than anything else.

During the Browning sisters’ stay at the manor, several eccentric characters are introduced including caretaker Gilda Willikers who was played by veteran cast member Jersey Siech and Mrs. Haggis who was hilariously played by newcomer Prudy Weber.

“Overall, I thought the performances went fantastic over the weekend and the kids did amazing,” Caloud said. “There were a couple lines skipped over, but with a talented cast like that they were able to get it back on track.”

While the cast only started practicing at the beginning of October in a change from past fall seasons, it was during the course of those weekday, two-hour practices that Caloud’s initial hesitancy at taking on the role of play director more than grew on him. He told the newspaper he now plans to direct future seasons as well.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“I accepted this position for one reason: Memories. When someone looks back at their high school experience it is often filled with either a lot of good memories or bad ones. I know how important these performances are for these kids because they were for me. Some of my best memories of high school were because of the theater. These kids deserve this as much as I did at their age.”

Even with all the ‘bumps’ this season – real or theatrical – the fall play proved another polished success thanks to the talented students that make up Union’s theater department.

From left, Ella Grote, Erica Hoppe, and Prudy Weber perform an early scene during Union High School’s fall production of “Things That Go Bump in the Night” on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Matt Auditorium. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Ella Grote, center, in the role of Charlotte Browning, confronts Jersey Siech – in the role of Gilda Willikers, Fielding Manor’s caretaker – while holding a rubber snake. Lauren Frush, right, as Professor Fairing is also pictured. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Cast members of Union High School’s fall production of “Things That Go Bump in the Night” pictured on Saturday, Nov. 16, on the Matt Auditorium stage in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Jersey Siech stands over Ella Grote, left, and Erica Hoppe, right, as they listen for sounds in the basement of Fielding Manor. Siech’s constant response from offstage anytime her character’s surname was mentioned elicited laughter from the audience every time. In her role as the manor’s caretaker, Siech excelled at comedically replying with nary a hint of irony, “Gee, willikers!” PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Ellie Burns, second from left, in the role of Ellison Frank pictured during one of her first scenes in Union High School’s fall production of “Things That Go Bump in the Night” last Saturday night. Also pictured from left, Ella Grote, Erica Hoppe, and Addie Engel. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Freshman Prudy Weber pictured in the role of Mrs. Haggis last Saturday evening during Union High School’s fall production of “Things That Go Bump in the Night.” The role was Weber’s first at UHS and, according to the production’s playbill, the veteran performer of the Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children's Theatre has been looking forward to being cast since middle school. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Lorelei Hinebaugh hilariously ‘hides’ behind a lamp during Union High School’s fall production of “Things That Go Bump in the Night” last Saturday evening. Hinebaugh played the role of Caroline Taylor, Charlotte Browning’s editor and publisher. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

From left, Erica Hoppe, Ella Grote, Jersey Siech (behind couch), and Lorelei Hinebaugh (behind lamp) pictured on Saturday, Nov. 16, on the Matt Auditorium stage in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Prudy Weber as Mrs. Higgins hides under a table last Saturday evening on the Matt Auditorium stage during Union High School’s fall production of “Things That Go Bump in the Night.” PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

From left, Lauren Frush as Professor Fairing, Prudy Weber as Mrs. Higgins, and Lorelei Hinebaugh as Caroline Taylor onstage last Saturday evening during Union High School’s fall production of “Things That Go Bump in the Night” in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER