aw rint November 2016 Volume 16, Issue 2 Senior Alexa Moster journeys to center stage By SAMUEL ALGAS Staff Writer You may have seen her ten “Mrs. Johnston introduced me was dropped into a tiny miracle… years ago, performing at street fes- to how the intersection of music Every time I was in that rehears- tivals with her dad. Or as Cinder- and theater could really create al room, or down-state, or with ella in Payton’s “Into the Woods.” friendships as a freshman, because that company in general, I felt so Or maybe at the Illinois all-state that was honestly why I joined in lucky to be in the presence of so performance of “Rent,” as Mimi the first place... I was really un- many people who were more ex- Marquez. Or at that small event comfortable, as most freshmen perienced than I was. I really got known as Chance the Rapper’s were. But Mrs. Johnston, my choir to soak up all of what they were Magnificent Coloring day, singing teacher who I was close with from good at, and try to learn more backup for the up and coming Chi- the beginning, told me I have a about myself as an actor by being cago rapper. Regardless of where great voice and that I should come around people who were so talent- you came across her, you probably audition for Broadway Gems. I fell ed…They really took a chance on already know—Alexa Moster has in love with that community be- me as someone who really hadn’t a big voice. cause that’s where all my friends done all that much theater before; Alexa started with violin les- were. They really went hand in I was so grateful to have that expe- sons and a little piano around the hand,” said Moster. rience. I was like a sponge; it was age of four, and began singing But the “Into the Woods” Cin- amazing.” around age five. Her dad, a music derella role accounts for the other All the while, Alexa’s singing Alexa Moster ‘17 (right of Chance) and other Chicago Childrens major, recruited her nascent voice essential part of her growing love career was taking up a larger and Choir members performed with Chicago artist Chance the Rapper. to perform with him at their local for theater through her two direc- larger role in her life as well. Ever Photo courtesy of Alexa Moster ‘17 block parties. tors, Mr. Wasielewski and Ms. since Alexa was recruited to the the past couple years, featured da how the industry works. You A neighbor who owned a small Catlin. Chicago Children’s Choir (CCC) CCC on his actual album in sever- have to prepare, and at the end of coffee shop, Savor the Flavor, In “39 Steps,” the Payton when performing in a coffee shop al tracks and asked a small group the day, if the artist or the produc- asked the Mosters to bring their Players 2015 production, Alexa at age eight, she has been work- of the Chicago’s Children’s Choir tion team makes a change, then act to her shop. They then moved learned that she could stand alone ing her way up the ranks of the to perform in about seven numbers you just go on for what you’re up to being Potbelly musicians, as an actor without relying on her renowned non-profit children’s at his festival. The group actually needed for.” and eventually, one summer, had voice. She called it her “mini iden- choir. had several other Payton students In her future, Alexa wants to their own set at the Summer on tity crisis,” that Mr. Wasielewski, a Alexa is now a part of the from CCC, but Chance only had major in drama ideally at Univer- Southport street festival. Alexa, at professional actor himself, helped choir’s premier mixed-voice en- them come out for his last song, sity of Michigan, Northwestern, this point, knew singing was part her through. Mr. Wasielewski and semble, which is known as The “Blessings.” Carnegie Mellon, or NYU. She’s of who she was. Mrs. Johnston also aided Alexa Voice of Chicago. Typically, Al- The festival featured several looking for a program that has a When asked how high school with one of the more important au- exa has choir every day of the other big artists such as Skrillex, Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama, really brought theater into the pic- ditions she’s had so far, with her week. That can range from perfor- John Legend, Alicia Keys, Tyler while still offering a specialization ture, Alexa said, “Because I want “Rent” audition. mances to all-calls, dress rehears- the Creator, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, in musical theater. Classical acting to go into college for theater now, “Rent” was 2016’s all-state als, or practices for the different Young Thug, and Lil Uzi Vert. training is something she hasn’t a lot of people assume that it was show for the Illinois High School groups within Voice of Chicago Alexa and five other high been able to focus on before, and my primary focus from the begin- Theater Festival, the largest and that she’s a part of— Encore, a schoolers from CCC were also a degree would provide the con- ning, whereas in actuality, it was oldest non-competitive high smaller group that performs at pri- called into the studio to record a centration. Alexa said, “Trying to music for most of my life.” school theatre festival in the world. vate events, and Encore Groove, backup track for Chance’s Color- go into this as a profession, I think Coming into high school, Al- “Rent” tells the story of a group of an even smaller dance/show choir. ing Book tour, which is already that you want to be as marketable exa never even considered the- friends’ bohemian lifestyle, deal- Although the Voice of Chicago selling out nationwide. When as possible so you can play more ater as something she would end ing with love, loss, and AIDS in has performed everywhere from asked about Magnificent Coloring roles and be a jack-of-all-trades.” up loving. However, after seeing East Village, New York City. Al- Chicago Ideas Week to Cuba, one Day, Alexa said, “It was chaotic For any actor, Broadway is the potential in Alexa in choir class exa, one of the several hundreds of the highlighted recent perfor- because originally we thought we dream, but Alexa says that it’s not freshman year, Mrs. Johnston rec- of auditioning high schoolers from mances was at Chance the Rap- were gonna be in more numbers her end-all-be-all. “I would just ommended she try out for Broad- all over the state, got the lead role per’s Magnificent Coloring Day than we were actually in, but in say for myself, my goal would just way Gems, the student-staged and of Mimi: a 19 year-old, HIV-posi- Festival, which took place on Sep- the end it was a great experience... be to create good art, with good choreographed musical theatre re- tive, heroin addicted, stripper and tember 24. We were just called in for what he people. It doesn’t really matter vue that happens every other year. prostitute. Chance, debatably Chicago’s wanted us to be on—the last song, where it’s gonna be or how much She quickly came to love it. With “Rent,” Alexa said, “I most quickly emerging artist of which was great… That’s just kin- acclaim I’ll receive.” Slime Soccer sparks scandal among students By GRANT HAUSKINS and JOE WALSH Staff Writers Gambling by students is tak- individual ability. It is most com- bling where up to hundreds of dol- on a single game before. I’ll even ing place across Payton, and many monly played until one opponent lars change hands daily stretches have a side bet or two going on students are placing bets on a scores five goals. as far back as spring 2016. One things like who finna score first or popular web game, Super Slime A recent poll conducted by Paw player, who goes by the name Kent who finna get a hat trick. Only rea- Soccer. This game was created in Print through an email survey of Murphy ‘20, claims to have made continued on p. 3 2008, and is hosted on Mollerhoj. all students showed that more than a “small fortune” from playing in com and frequently on Clay.io 26% of Payton students play or Slime Soccer games. SEE INSIDE for competitive play. Super Slime have played Super Slime Soccer. However, only a small fraction Soccer has long been a staple of In an email interview with the of winnings are bet by the players Payton students, but has recently Paw Print, Mr. Mollerhoj was themselves. In fact, most of the been twisted and corrupted into a asked about the competitive and money is bet by spectators on the -Myles Davis game of skill-based gambling. high-risk gambling scene around results of the matchups. Super Slime Soccer is a 2D Slime Soccer, and he gave his A junior, who wished to re- -Mrs. Barge online soccer game made unique wholehearted approval of the main anonymous, and who is one by special powers of 27 different scene saying, “Go ahead. I don’t of the most prominent figures in -Teacher slimes. It is the brainchild of Jens mind.” the group is a frequent, high dol- Dahl Mollerhoj, a Danish citizen Mr.