TERRIFIC, RADIANT, HUMBLE

The Clear Creek High School 2025 Fall play was a charming story of friendship, hope, and loss - Charlotte’s Web. Originally based on the popular children’s book by the same name by E.B. White, the play Charlotte’s Web tells the story of Charlotte’s heroism amidst her friendship with Wilbur. Mackenzie Burnett, who played Wilbur, said that the goal of the play was to spread kindness and inspire the kids who got the opportunity to see it.

TOM MILLIGAN WITH HIS GIFT BASKET FROM THE SENIORS; PHOTO BY LILI NANDELL

Up until this year, the high school was missing a theater class, so the creation of the play is their theater class. As director Tom Milligan said on Thursday, October 14th, the Senior Night of the production, “You’re here for their final exam.” Milligan also mentioned that their goal with casting is to include everyone who auditions, and in this performance they achieved that goal. With all of the new opportunity that the class brings, the theater department was able to bring in some of the elementary kids from schools in the district to watch the dress rehearsal. Burnett said that it was nice to perform the play for it’s intended audience.

The play had such sweet details that the cast acted out perfectly. For example, Tate Riggan and Ally Schumacher perfectly embodied the speech patterns of Goose and Gander. They spoke exactly as anyone would expect geese to speak. In addition, Hayden Bailey did a great job of subtly showing her decline as Charlotte. Bailey did a great job of showing the artistry of Charlotte’s web-making. Her movements were smooth and thoughtful, really making it feel like you were watching her create the web. It was artful in it’s own way. Burnett embraced the childish wonder of Wilbur incredibly well. Together, Burnett and Bailey contrasted each other flawlessly - with Wilbur’s naiveness and hesitation, and Charlotte’s affirming personality and eagerness.

TEMPLETON (CALKINS) PUTTING UP THE BEST OF SHOW MEDAL WILBUR (BURNETT) RECIEVED; PHOTO BY LILI NANDELL

Ford and Sotomayor played siblings so realistically, while Jaidyn Calkins’ sass as Templeton truly made the character. Additionally, the costuming suited the play well. It was simple, yet exactly what the characters would wear. All of this came together for the perfect formula of an amazing production of Charlotte’s Web.

There were many seniors on the cast, and each of them got the opportunity on November 14th, 2025 to let the crowd know what their plans were. Olivia Fuller, who played Narrator 1, plans on taking a gap year before doing something with photography. Rylie Coleman, who acted as the Sheep, is going to attend the University of Iowa to study political science and acting, with hopes to join the infamous Hawkeye marching band. Bailey plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa to become a high school history teacher, with a focus on American History. Burnett will be double majoring in K-8 and musical education. Calkins is going to take a gap year, later going to film school for acting. Colin Root, who played Jon Arable and Lurvey, plans on attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth for a masters in finance, becoming a wealth manager. Moving backstage, Morgan Downes, who did the sound tech for the play, wants to go into Equine management. Carson Brandt would like to go to University of Northern Iowa for music education. Finally, Gabby Romero plans on going to PCI Academy for cosmetology! The seniors came together to make gift baskets for the production managers to thank them for their impact on their lives. Milligan, working for the Clear Creek Amana district for 11 years, received a gold trophy for being the best director, including a framed photo with the iconic quote of his - “The best actors don’t act, they react.”

Additionally, of the seniors are also going to miss the stage. Fuller stated that she loves being on stage, with her favorite part being watching and listening to the reactions of the crowd. Being able to be a part of the Charlotte’s Web performance made her wish she had done the play last year.

Burnett shared a similar sentiment. Although she’ll miss the CCA stage, she is focused on enjoying the present moment and looking forward to what’s next. The entire making of the play was fun, but most of all, she enjoys getting dinner with friends after. (She also added that yes, it was in fact difficult to breathe in the pig nose.)

No matter how many times you see or read Charlotte’s Web, it’s still so bittersweet. The cast all did an amazing job and each and every one of them should be proud of themselves. Some could say that the CCA production of Charlotte’s Web is terrific, radiant, and humble…Anyone who enjoyed Charlotte’s Web should come and see the next performance, which is the Spring Musical Guys and Dolls, coming to stage April 16th-18th 2026!