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For over 10 years the Shakespeare in the Schools program has been bringing high quality productions to numerous rural schools in the state. The program is a branch of the Montana Shakespeare in the Parks program out of Montana State University. It presents a different play every year and is generally a condensed production of a longer play. Many of the plays chosen are Shakespeare's more famous or popular ones.

The play presented on Tuesday was a fun and comical performance much enjoyed by the student audience. This year the group performed one of Shakespeare's most popular plays, "Much Ado About Nothing." It featured a cast of characters involved in love, deceit, comedy, music and dancing with a fortunate ending. Every year the play actors and participants do breakout sessions in the afternoon, after the plays, for students in classrooms. They take special time for the theater students, giving lessons in acting, makeup, set building and many other aspects of creating a production.

Chisholm explained that the Shakespeare in the Parks and Schools give important "exposure to fine arts for the public audience. It gets the timelessness of Shakespeare into the people's hands." The superintendent expressed that this is engrained in the history of Montana. Chisholm told a comedic story of how many mining camps would find entertainment by organizing plays written by Shakespeare, casting some of the burly miners.

Ryon Nolan took over being the contact between the players and the school from the previous high school principal, and brings with him an interest in the arts and music. This is Nolan's first year, and he is excited to work with the youth of Plains. He is especially excited for programs like the Shakespeare in the Schools play, and students participating in theater. For students, he believes theater "teaches them to be well spoken and outspoken." According to Nolan, fine arts give the school the opportunity to widen the horizon for kids. "It's fun to be able to offer other avenues for students," said Nolan.

The production was the first of its kind to be held in the new multi-use building Plains Schools recently finished. According to Superintendent Thom Chisholm, they also have mobile bleachers that can be moved around, and they plan to use those for future student productions. As for the newer building, both Nolan and Chisholm are ecstatic. "That new performance center is amazing," said Chisholm.