SHS Theatre opens production of The Outsiders on Thursday, November 13
On Thursday, SHS Theatre will open with the first of three performances of The Outsiders, a play adapted from the 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton. Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the book and dramatic adaption chronicle the conflict between the "greasers" and "socs," rival youth gangs separated by socioeconomic status and told through the eyes of teenager, Ponyboy Curtis. SHS will perform on Thursday, November 13 and Saturday, November 15 at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 16 at 2:30pm at the SHS Auditorium on the Starkville High campus.
From finding friends and dealing with life's hardships to learning where you fit in and trying to "stay gold," the timeless themes found in The Outsiders production seem to echo what many of the SHS Thespian Troupe members say they've learned through the theatre program itself – both on and off the stage. SHS Theater Director and Instructor, Trisha Jordan, says those themes are part of the appeal of the show and what attracted Yellow Jacket students to want to perform it.
"I think everyone can relate to these characters," she said, "the desire to be included, and the celebration of the love we share with the family we choose throughout our lives."
The book and 1980s movie adaptation are widely familiar and also incorporated into the English curriculum for many schools, including SHS. The fame of the piece, its impact on popular culture, as well as its poignant subject matter have added an extra layer of excitement and also challenge to the show, Jordan says.
"I am endlessly proud of these thespians for their drive and maturity to take on such a famous piece and their determination to shed truth and light on the needs of the least of these, especially going into the holiday season," she said.
Starkville High senior and award-winning Jacket singer and actor, Amelia Rodgers, plays the role of Johnny Cade in the production, a character she describes as shy and childlike, but resilient in how he sees the world in spite of a hard home life.
"He loves the greasers very much, and they are his family," Amelia said. "He will do anything for the people he loves and learns to see the good in the world despite the hardships he has been through."
Amelia says acting out this perspective on stage is part of what has been impactful about being involved in the show.
"Something that has been so rewarding to me about performing in The Outsiders is widening my perspective on life," she said. "Playing Johnny has really made me have more compassion and understanding for those who are less fortunate than myself."
"I am so inspired and honored to play someone who looks to see the good in the world and is grateful for the things he loves, even though he has been through so much adversity," she continued.
The actress says she hopes patrons will walk away from seeing the show with that same inspiration.
"Don't let your situation keep you from following your dreams and always staying true to yourself," Amelia said. "I hope patrons take away that no matter where you come from or what you have been through, you are still deserving of love."
That sentiment is one that senior thespian, Jaylen Rice, says he has seen in the show, but also lived out through his participation in SHS Theatre.
"In my high school career, theatre has allowed me to acknowledge that my disability has no impact on following my dreams," he shared.
Jaylen, an award-winning student play write and veteran member of the troupe has served in on-stage and backstage roles in four other SHS Theatre productions with the aid of his motorized wheelchair.
"In my opinion, theatre means becoming someone you never knew you could be," he said. "It allows you to unlock the creative side of you, and helps you with your confidence level."
In The Outsiders, Jaylen plays a role he describes as "small, but mighty" and one where he sees a little of himself.
"I am Mr. Symes, the English teacher in the show," Jaylen said. "He is a kind and generous teacher who cares for his students. This role is similar to how I am. I care for everyone and only want the best for everyone."
The connection between actors and the characters they play in the SHS production of The Outsiders is only part of the story. While the play depicts the bond of friendship and family between teenage characters in the 1960s, Yellow Jacket thespians see a bond strengthening off-stage too.
"There are friendships that happen on stage, but then there's also the friendships that happen backstage," said Ranier Smith, a junior who plays percussion for the show and serves as a member of the crew and ensemble. "I feel like doing this show has gotten me closer to a lot of people from the troupe."
The fall show produced by the SHS Theatre department is a production of an advanced theatre course called "Dramatic Criticism" where students learn the ins-and-outs of virtually every aspect of a working theatre company including selecting a show, set-building, costume and makeup development, a rigorous rehearsal schedule, and even the art of evaluating productions as a critic would. Traditionally, the class prepares a one-act traveling "competition" play within strict guidelines and performs it before judges at the regional and state level. This year, however, Jordan says students opted to explore a variety of other theatre competitions and put their energy into a full-length fall production. The class voted to perform The Outsiders.
Ranier acknowledges that tackling a full-length non-musical play has been challenging for the troupe.
"Many of us haven't dealt with this long of a straight play," he said. "It's made us work a little harder to get lines memorized, our places set and getting the show up and running."
Amelia, who says she plans to pursue a BFA in Acting after high school, says this comprehensive approach to learning theatre gives valuable experience students can take with them regardless of what they want to do after graduation.
"My past experience with the SHS Theatre program has been nothing short of wonderful," she said. "I have learned so much about myself as a person and performer. The opportunity to be involved in theatre through high school has been so rewarding. I am able to learn how to work well with others, take direction, and have fun, which will carry me throughout life."
Jaylen shares a similar experience.
"I enjoy getting to participate in shows, being on stage, getting to go on trips, and being around friends I've made along the way," he said. "I think this experience has prepared me for how real life is. Sometimes we fail, and sometimes we succeed. Getting to participate in these activities has allowed me to gain newfound confidence in myself and has allowed me to see that no matter my difference, we as thespians are the same."
The award-winning SHS Theatre program offers 9th through 12th grade students courses from introductory level to advanced directing. Through school performances and adjudicated theater competitions and events, students qualify to be inducted into the International Thespian Society, a theatre honors organization.
The program performs two shows each year and earns statewide honors and superior ratings in individual, ensemble and troupe performances. In 2025, ten SHS thespians earned top ten Mississippi honors at both the Mississippi Theatre Association and Mississippi Thescon conferences.
"Our main goal for our theatre troupe is not only to create talented artists, but to create compassionate people that function as a family," Jordan said. "Throughout our productions and our competitions, these thespians must support one another and trust one another. Our students are athletes, writers, band members, singers, and so much more. They choose to come together to share stories and hopefully bring truth and joy to the lives of others through what they leave on the stage."
Tickets to the SHS production of The Outsiders are available digitally in advance at https://cur8.com/20493/project/134988. For more about the Visual and Performing Arts programs available in the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, visit our Jacket Arts Facebook page at www.facebook.com/yellowjacketarts.