CHAMOIS  — Chamois students in grades 7-12 put on a play Friday night called “The Rubber Room,” a family-friendly comedic look at fictional MacElhenny High School.

Based on the book by Pat Cook, the play’s synopsis asks, “You ever wonder what goes on in a teachers’ lounge?

“Here is your chance to snoop on a gang of educators who’ll do anything to relieve the boredom,” the synopsis continues. “Whether it is planning ambushes for the principal or dressing up as Vikings, this particular group is beyond compare. That is, until they find out one of them has written a book and used the rest of the staff as examples! Accusations fly like spitwads. Hand-to-hand combat breaks out just when Superintendent Brooks shows up ready to fire Principal Carp and just ahead of a newspaper reporter who asks, ‘Don’t you want to hear what the Governor said about this?’ All this during the first week of school! Is it any wonder the teachers’ lounge is referred to as “the rubber room?”

Directed by sixth-grade teacher Lawrence Hord, the free play was the latest in a long line of offerings by the veteran instructor, who began directing plays when he first began working at Chamois R-1 in the 1995-96 school year.

“The students and general public thoroughly enjoyed it so I continued the tradition each following spring,” Hord said, noting he has directed 25 or 26 plays with almost all of them being one-act comedies performed by sixth-graders for that year.

This year he decided, with student prompting, to begin a Drama Club for students in grades 7-12. “This provides an opportunity for any student in those grades to be involved in the theatrical process,” said Hord. “In my first year, we have 11 members from these various grades and ‘The Rubber Room’ was our first production.”

Friday’s performance was a two-act comedy representative of what Hord would like to bring to the Chamois school and community.

He was greatly assisted in this endeavor by Sherry Conner. “The play wouldn’t have been possible without her help and tremendous support,” said Hord.

For the near future, due to time constraints, the Drama Club will only do one play per year, with the goal being to provide the best play possible that meets his standards.

“The best part of directing is witnessing the final product and seeing the kids ‘blossom’ on stage,” said Hord. “We have some truly talented students at Chamois and the theater provides them with another opportunity to shine. It is an honor to work with a great group of kids and I look forward to doing many more in the future.”

Hord said no play has been selected for next year, but the Drama Club is interested in doing a musical. “So, who knows? Hord said.

He is grateful for the turnout by community members. “I want to thank everyone for their help and support in making this a tremendous success,” Hord said.