From Coffee (or Tea) to Campaigns: DHS Drama Club Presents Whistle Stop

Alyssa Odle - Reporter

Photos by Gavin Ball

   Dyersburg High School’s Trojan Drama is brewing up something special this fall with their production of Whistle Stop by Tracy Wells. The show will be performed in the Little Theatre at Dyersburg High School on Thursday, November 6, Friday and November 7, at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 9, at 2:00 p.m., and Monday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m.

   At the cozy Whistle Stop diner, the regulars know that a good cup of coffee and a slice of warm apple pie can fix just about anything—even when the nation’s presidential candidates always seem to pass them by for the rival Gold Star Café. When a sudden cold front freezes the Gold Star’s pipes, the Whistle Stop finds itself in the spotlight, preparing for an unexpected visit from the latest presidential hopeful. As excitement brews and tensions rise, misunderstandings and small-town drama threaten to boil over, testing friendships, patience, and pride.

   The production features a talented lineup of DHS performers. Myren Hurst leads the cast as Shelia, joined by Samaya Bell-Armstrong as Delores, Sarah Martinez as Fran, Olivia Davis as Edie, Arieanna Campbell as Sandy Fletcher, Sofia Roy as Terry, Alyssa Odle as Roberta, Braylen Davis as Grady Briggs, McKenna Ford as Jules, Raiden Muzzall as Mel, Aysia Nance as Victoria Preston, Tarlisha Randles as Jane, and Colbie Sells as Chris Conners.

   Behind the curtain, a dedicated crew is hard at work bringing the diner and its quirky charm to life on stage. The stage crew carefully sets up props and shifts scenes between acts, keeping the Whistle Stop running smoothly. The techies operate the lights and sound, creating the cozy glow and clinking café sounds that fill the Little Theatre. Meanwhile, the makeup and costume crews work to match each character’s look—from diner uniforms to hair and makeup that capture that small-town personality. Every student plays a vital role in transforming the stage into a warm and bustling slice of American life

   Director Trevor Yarbrough describes Whistle Stop as “a play about people, not politics.” 

   “Don’t think that this play is political. It has a presidential candidate as a character that drives the plot, but it’s not a play about politics. It’s about the people of this small-town diner who let the idea of being in politics go to their heads and begin to lose themselves within it. It’s full of humor and heart—it reminds us what really matters in life,” said Yarbrough.

   Yarbrough praised his students’ commitment to the show, noting how new and returning members are coming together to make this production shine.

   “We have new actors, new crew members and returning students who’ve taken on new roles” he said. “I’m extremely proud of the work they’ve put in—it truly takes each and every individual to pull a show off. I can’t wait for everyone to see the final product.”

   Even the crew is feeling the excitement (and pressure) of bringing the Whistle Stop diner to life.

   “I can’t do hair for nothing,” joked freshman Summer Muzzall, a member of the hair crew.

   “I messed up the wrinkles,” laughed freshman Peyton Yarborough from the makeup crew.

   “I’m pretty confident I have my lines down,” said junior McKenna Ford. “I’m not a big fan of the play because it’s kind of adulty—it’s hard to get in a funny mood—but it’s been fun to work on.”

   General admission tickets will be available at the door for $7.00 for both students and adults. Out of respect for all in attendance, no children under the age of five will be admitted.

   So grab a cup of coffee, save a seat, and come see what’s brewing at the Whistle Stop — where humor, heart, and a little small-town chaos promise an unforgettable evening of theatre.