May 26, 2022

Chadron State alumni reunite in North Platte theatre production

Posted May 26, 2022 1:15 PM

ABIGAIL SWANSON, CSC College Relations

CHADRON – A recent North Platte Community Playhouse production of Clue, based on the board game of the same name about a murder at a mansion with several suspects, featured four alumni of Chadron State College. Actors included Staysha Adams (2014) as Mrs. Peacock, Lane Swedberg (2016) as Mr. Green, Chantel Burch (2014) as Mrs. White, and Jesse Young (2015) as Wadsworth, the butler.

Adams, an Elementary Education major, has a long history of theatrical involvement and participated in many CSC productions both on stage and behind the scenes from 2011 to 2014. She said the Theatre faculty worked hard to ensure the students were well-rounded in all areas.

“When I got to CSC, Roger (Mays) and Scott (Cavin) opened my eyes to so many new ways of performing and building a show,” Adams said.

The skills she built at CSC helped her succeed as a director of high school one-act plays and as company manager at Theatre West in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. She has also found applications in her current role as an elementary special education teacher in North Platte.

Swedberg, a Middle Grades Math and Science Education major, acted in several CSC productions but focused mainly on studying Music. He continues to use his musical and acting background with community theatre. He has been involved in the North Platte Community Theatre for six years and played trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet. He has played in the pit band for six shows and acted in six more.

Swedberg felt a personal connection to his character from playing Clue as a child.

“When I played the board game growing up, I would pick my game piece solely off of their color, blue and green being my favorites, so it is very fitting that I got to play the part of Mr. Green,” Swedberg said.

Young, a Justice Studies major, recognized his fellow CSC alumni right away when he auditioned at the end of February.

“I saw Chantel during auditions and thought, ‘I know her … I think I went to college with her,’” he said.

Burch, a Communication major, said she has enjoyed reviving old stories with her fellow CSC alumni.

“I’m so grateful we could reconnect and get to know each other better. I feel like I have a new group of old friends,” Burch said.

Adams agreed it has been a good opportunity for CSC alumni to reconnect.

“This cast is made up of a very fun, very talented group of people, and there is never a dull moment,” Adams said.