The eighth graders conclude their first performance of Finding Nemo April 17. The play is around 70 minutes long. by Anna Marie Fiorella

Anna Marie Fiorella

For three and half months 52 8th graders came together to put on Nativity’s anual 8th grade play. The kids work four days a week and the parents and volunteers work for two hours a day. Their final three performances of Finding Nemo were April 19 and 20. Director David Welch worked with the students to improve their performance. This is one of the last times the 8th grade class of 2013 will be together.

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Brian Garrison works the merchandise table on April 6 at the Middle of the Map Fest in Westport. The table consisted of t-shirts and posters promoting the second year of the music festival. by Maggie Nothnagel

Maggie Nothnagel

Music lovers gathered for the second annual Middle of the Map Festival in Westport April 6. The Festival featured three days of national and local bands like “She’s a Keeper.” Food, t-shirts and posters were all for sale.

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Gavin Lallament, dressed as baby Superman, is held by his father in line for Comicon tickets Saturday, April 6. Gavin’s father flew him around to stave off boredom during the 30 minute wait to get in. by Natalie Nuessle

Natalie Nuessle

Sci-fie lovers flocked for a Comicon convention April 6. The convention featured booths selling books, boardgames, and Star Treck actors. People wanting tickets stood in line for more than 30 minutes to get in to the convention.

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Mika makes sure that nothing is in her teeth and that her hair and jewelry are all intact before posing for a close-up picture on First Fridays. Mika came with some friends to eat and watch the street performers. She was intrigued by a few rappers and a DJ who were dancing in a side parking lot at the Crossroads. by Rose Patterson

Rose Patterson

The first Friday of every month, the Crossroads in downtown Kansas City host “First Fridays.” The event includes street performers, art, music and food. First Fridays attract an array of artists as well as audiences.

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The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’€™s apprentice troupe, Team Shakespeare, rehearse a scene in the Commons April 21. The group will be performing Hamlet and have been rehearsing for several weeks. by Jesse Walker-McGraw

Jesse Walker-McGraw

A normal rehearsal for Team Shakespeare, a theater company’s apprentice group, almost always involves someone being stabbed. The Team members are the official apprentices of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, which puts on an outdoor Shakespeare play every summer. Team Shakespeare is comprised of kids age 12 to 18 who attend classes in the fall and winter, and rehearse and perform a Shakespeare play in the spring.  The group is putting on a production of Hamlet at the end of May, and currently have rehearsal every Sunday. These rehearsals are not only time for practice, but a socialization and relaxation time for Team Shakespeare.

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