[Synopsis from The Author] Dolores Gordon, who loves the stage, has always dreamed of stardom. But the only role she ever seems to land is that of the lowly understudy. So she decides the only way she is going to land the lead role in an upcoming community theatre production is to murder the lead actress, Guinevere Black. And that is exactly what she does. To make the murder more fun, Dolores hides Guinevere’s body in a large wooden trunk that is used as the centerpiece of the production’s murder-mystery set.

But Dolores’ thrills soon turn to chills when she begins to observe strange things going on among the production’s suspicious and dysfunctional cast members. They seem to know something she doesn’t. Out of mere nervousness, Dolores decides to open the chest in an effort to make certain her victim hasn’t disappeared; that’s when her worst nightmare is realized: Guinevere’s body is indeed gone. But who took it? Which cast member is on to her horrific crime? And is that Guinevere herself peering through the French doors of the set when no one but Dolores is looking? Find out the answers when you read this murder-mystery comedy that spoofs Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock all in one keep-you-guessing backstage comedy.

(Heuer Publishing, 2023)

Santiam Christian Theater aims to challenge, inspire, and cultivate young artists through the gift of performance arts. Junior high and high school students can be involved in up to three plays each year, which includes the Jr. Players production lead by upperclassmen, and the first and second-semester high school plays (for HS students only). Performances take place at our black box theatre on campus.

After being cast, students can develop their acting and teamwork skills at in-class rehearsals if cast into the high school play (known as HS Drama) and in after-school rehearsals if cast into Jr. Payers. Students can also explore areas outside of acting, such as stage crew, tech crew, costumes, hair, and makeup, and more. By participating in SC Theater, students can develop their performance skills while also evaluating dramatic texts, accesses other local theatre opportunities and events, and growing as team players, artists, and God-glorifying leaders, and glorify God in their efforts.