OnStage: Waterbury, CT is widely known as "Brass City", for once being the leading manufacturer of brassware. While that industry has died down a good degree, what is going strong in the city is high school theatre. There are a number of schools that have excellent programs and are putting on phenomenal productions but one in particular is Chase Collegiate School.
3 comments:
It's great to see the arts being appreciated at the high school level and it's good that an online media outlet like OnStage can honor that. I would like to point out that the school in question is a private institution not accessible to all socioeconomic classes. I still feel like state funded institutions cut funding to the arts before they cut anything else, especially sports. That's not to say that there aren't public high schools out there putting on great theatre because there are. All theatre artists started somewhere and a lot of them developed their love for theatre in high school. I know I did! I went to a very small private school that is now suffering from some funding set backs and the arts are certainly suffering. I would hate to think that someone like me would miss the chance to pursue a career in theatre because some people believe that sports are more important. I would venture to say that the performing arts teach the same principles of team work and dedication that sports do and that the directors, choreographers, etc. influence as many lives as the football coach.
This article has a very personal connection for me, as my elder sister attended Chase Collegiate School. Seeing the name on such a quality blog shocked me, as they normally don't highlight high school theater programs, much less one that I know much of. I myself attended school in Waterbury Ct, and can support the fact that the city is thriving in the arts. However, I do have to say that although the work they put up is well done, it is not my personal favorite. The stage they perform on is in their middles school gym equipped with folding chairs and fluorescent lights. Having met both individuals the article refers to, the director and music head, I feel comfortable saying they are both great people, however are not renowned artists. As a school they are not by any means known for their theater, the private school is more known for their academic success. I have to say that I question why this article puts a huge gold star on them, when the community, which I was apart of, knows that their are places such as Seven Angels, Shakesperience, Waterbury Arts Magnet School, and the Palace Theater right around the corner which have a better reputation. If I had to guess I would assume it has something to do with the fact that it is a private school.
This article gave me so much hope. I am so overjoyed to hear that high schools are encouraging student written and directed work. This program is very similar to the high school I came from, though Chase Collegiate seems to be even more developed. I loved their idea of having the different classes work separately and then come together for the one acts. The student directed one acts at my arts high school were life-changing for me. Its were I was given my first opportunity to direct (out of few), without this program, I would have never ended up where I am today and my future would not be nearly as clear to me. The student directed one acts gave me the chance to explore writing, and even if I didn’t end up loving directed, the chance to direct other students was an incredible lesson in leadership that I feel could help a number of different students. I feel like programs like these are essential to the education system, they teach so many different lessons that can’t be taught in a classroom, and that can be applied to a variety of fields.
Post a Comment