Performing Arts Groups

Fall One Act Play Festival

Two to three one act plays are cast from the intermediate and advanced theatre classes with an additional one to two one act plays produced by WAST/Thespians.

Sponsor: Jennifer Ettinger (jennifer.ettinger@bpsne.net)

Flag Corps

The flag drill team performs with the band during the fall marching season. Tryouts are held in the spring.    

Sponsor: Ashley Ericksen (ashley.ericksen@bpsne.net) 

Instrumental Music/Band

Students can participate in a number of instrumental music groups, including the marching band, jazz band, wind ensembles, drumlines, pop band, pep band, etc.

Co-Directors: Marques Eckhoff and Jason Pentico (marques.eckhoff@bpsne.net) (jason.pentico@bpsne.net) 

ROTC Drill Team

Students learn the fine art of close order drill and compete in many competitions around the midwest. The prerequisite is being a student in good standing in the ROTC program. Tryouts are held in the fall after school begins.

Sponsor: Col. Vanderhoff (stephen.vanderhoff@bpsne.net)

Spring Musical

Each March the vocal music and theatre departments collaborate to create a major musical theatre production.  Anyone can audition for cast, crew, or orchestra positions. You do not have to be in band, choir, or theatre. This is an opportunity for anyone to be a part of a large theatrical production.

Anywhere from 25 to35 actors, singers, and dancers are cast in the show. Cast, orchestra, and crew size are determined by the script.

The musical is accompanied by a pit orchestra made up of students and staff and conducted by AJ Reimer.  

A full backstage crew runs lights, spotlights, sound, stage manages, and serves as running crews as needed (deck, costumes, make-up, etc). 

Cast auditions are usually held in December before holiday break and the rehearsals run January through March. Auditions do not require preparation. Actors learn a dance and a song at the audition and then act in a simple improvisation. Orchestra members audition in January and have time to prepare parts from the score. Crew members go through an interview process in January.

Cast rehearsals are generally from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday until the week before the show opens, then rehearsals run 3:30-7:00 p.m. The last few days before the production opens, rehearsals run 4:00-9:00 p.m. with time out for a dinner break. Rehearsal attendance is determined by role and the production. The directors create a rehearsal schedule to which the cast, crew, and orchestra is expected to adhere. 

In addition, cast members are expected to assist on a pre-production crew: Costumes, Props, Set, Daily Prep, Publicity/marketing. This work is done on Saturdays (10-12 and 1-5) or after school (depending on the crew). Parents are encouraged to assist on these crews and work side by side with the students.

Producer/Technical Coordinator/Director: Jennifer Ettinger (jennifer.ettinger@bpsne.net)

Music Director: AJ Reimer (adam.reimer@bpsne.net)

Thunderettes Dance Team

Bellevue West Thunderettes Dance Team promotes school spirit. The squad will perform before home varsity football games, during half-time of varsity basketball games, and at other events including pep rallies and parades. Other activities include fundraisers, team bonding activities, camp, and community service. One favorite activity for the Thunderettes is the Little T-Bird Dance Clinic during basketball season for young ladies interested in dance in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Bellevue West Dance Team requires a substantial amount of time and effort. While professional dance training in not required to be a Thunderette, anyone trying out must be prepared to demonstrate a knowledge of dance skills and technique. Tryouts for the Thunderettes takes place in early spring of every year. Dancers practice three to four times a week June through March. In the summer, dancers attend camp to develop their skills and bond as a team. During the school year the squad will preform at games, tournaments, showcases, and the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Championship.

Sponsor: Ellie Robertson (elizabeth.robertson@bpsne.net)

Vocal Music

The vocal music department has several groups, including West Connection, West High Singers, Arie Armonie, and more that perform throughout the year at different venues.

Sponsor: AJ Reimer (adam.reimer@bpsne.net) and Janelle Reetz (janelle.reetz@bpsne.net)

West After School Theatre Club (W.A.S.T.)

The sole purpose of these groups is to provide acting/technical theatre learning and performance opportunities outside the regular theatre curriculum.

The groups produce/perform: 

• 1) September production
• 2) Short one-act play for the Fall One Act Play Festival in November
• 3) Five 10 minute plays for the East-West 10 Minute Play Festival in April 
• 4) Improv Nites (much like Who's Line is it Anyway?)

Thespians have qualified numerous performers to compete at International Thespian Festival in Individual Events. Our Technical Theatre team has finished in the top three of the Tech Challenge at the state level consistently. In addition, student directed plays have been chosed to perform at State Thespian Festival.

A WAST member can gain entrance into the honorary affiliate, The International Thespian society but earning 10 points. These points are earned doing backstage, front of the house, performance, directing, designing and working on club events and each point is the equivalent of 10 hours of work. Thespians are students who have shown excellance and dedication to their high school theatre program. A Thespian can attend and compete at state and international competitions and apply for college scholarhips and programs.

Sponsor: Jennifer Ettinger (jennifer.ettinger@bpsne.net)

Cheerleading

Bellevue West Cheerleading is an athletic activity whose primary goal is to promote school spirit. Both squads, junior varsity and varsity, support Bellevue West by cheering at athletic events, including football, basketball, and volleyball games. Cheerleaders are responsible for planning and leading school pep rallies and spirit functions. Cheerleaders also decorate the school and athlete lockers for building school spirit in the various sports seasons. Cheerleaders are role models for Bellevue West both in and out of the classroom. Cheerleaders have participated in numerous volunteer opportunities including Sarpy County Relay for Life and Salvation Army Bell-Ringing. Cheerleaders support the community by participating in the Arrows to Aerospace and Veteran’s Day Parades. Cheerleaders also put on a Little T-Bird Cheer Clinic in the fall for young cheerleaders in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Bellevue West Cheerleading requires a substantial amount of time and effort. Cheerleaders have a special set of expectations that no other sport or activity require. Tryouts for Bellevue West Cheerleading takes place in early spring of every year. Cheerleaders practice from June through March and during the school year take place afterschool two to three times a week. In the summer, cheerleaders attend a cheer camp to develop their skills and bond as a team. Junior varsity squad practice during the year to build skills and perform at games and area showcases. Varsity squads practice to perform at games, showcases, and several competitions, including the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Championship.

Head Coach: Brandi Allen (Brandi.Allen@bpsne.net)

Slam Poetry