WHAT ’ S NEWS IN GREENSBURG SALEM
STAGE RIGHT ’ S SUMMER CAMP SHOWS TAKE ON BULLYING
Students in Stage Right ’ s first camps of the summer took on the serious issue of bullying and promoted the celebration of our differences .
The Greensburg performing arts school ran two consecutive camps , one for teens ages 14 through 18 and one for preteens ages 7 through 13 . The teens performed “ Heathers The Musical ( High School Edition )” and the preteens presented “ Shrek The Musical Jr .”
“ This year 83 kids gathered at the studios to sing , dance and have a ball ! The theme for the first camp was ‘ Our differences make us special .’ This idea was at the heart of both shows . For the preteens with Shrek Jr ., the story is about people who feel like misfits , but in the end they come to realize that those differences are good and empowering things . For the teens , this new version of Heathers has been created to address the issues with bullies kids face in high school . It has created this discussion every day with the kids about what they face and how they deal with it . It ’ s been a really moving and cathartic experience for everyone ,” says Artistic Director Tony Marino .
Stage Right is only the fifth theater company in the world to perform “ Heathers The Musical ( High School Edition ).” The show , which is a new adaptation of the Broadway musical based on the 1990s cult classic movie of the same name , follows the story of Veronica Sawyer , a brainy , beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High : the Heathers . But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain , she falls for the wrong boy and finds herself ostracized by the popular group . Adapted to be appropriate for a teenage cast and audience , the show deals with the important issues of teen suicide , bullying , homophobia and gun violence .
Banner Reed , 15 , from Greensburg , who played Principal Gowan , says he felt a very deep connection to this show .
“ I feel like the show was a perfect representation of what happens when people are on the edge , because I ’ ve been there . It ’ s an important tale about how people are being treated ,” he explains .
He also feels that playing the principal was very important to the message of the show that he hopes resonated with people .
“ My character was a representative of my school staff , how they ignore [ bullying ] and happily turn a blind eye to it . It ’ s necessary that they don ’ t do that anymore , because clearly we need to do something to change it now ,” Banner says .
Maura Rygg , 15 , of Harrison City , played Heather Chandler . She said playing this role was very fun , and interesting .
“ There are many different angles to [ the show ]: bullying , twisted love story , conquering your enemies — all that stuff ,” she explains , adding that playing her character was also really hard . “ We had to make the characters three-dimensional . They couldn ’ t just be the ‘ mean girl ,’ they had to have motivations , thoughts going through their heads .”
On the preteen side , “ Shrek The Musical Jr .” tells the story of an ogre named Shrek who one day finds his swamp home invaded by magical creatures who have been banished by the tiny terror Lord Farquaad because they are “ freaks .” Shrek and a tag-along , wisecracking donkey confront Farquaad and find themselves assigned with the task of rescuing Princess Fiona in order to get his swamp back . Along the way , they encounter some bumps in the road , and Shrek comes to find that maybe what he wants isn ’ t to be alone at all , and the magical creatures realize their power is in being different .
Ben Federico , 13 , of Latrobe , who played Shrek , said this is one of his favorite shows .
“ Shrek was a great show because it embraces the differences in individuality , especially the song ‘ Freak Flag ,’ saying you can show how you are different and you shouldn ’ t be mad at yourself for being different ,” he explains .
Ben adds that doing the show at Stage Right made the experience even better . “ Because [ Stage Right ] is my second home , as they say … all the encouraging , kind-hearted people at Stage Right just make it all come together .”
Emma Kate Angelo , 12 , from Perryopolis , had the role of Fiona and enjoyed the challenge of playing the princess .
“ It was different from roles I usually play ,” she notes . “[ Fiona ’ s ] very all over the place , but she gets to do everything , including humor . It got me out of my comfort zone , because she goes crazy one second , and the next second she ’ s a princess again … [ In addition to the role ,] I like that the show is all about being different and you don ’ t have to fit in — it ’ s OK to be different .”
Stage Right amassed a highly decorated team of professionals to lead more than 80 students through the three-week camp . The preteens were led by Nicole Stouffer , a graduate of Point Park University with a BFA in Musical Theatre , London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art , and Ben Pimental , a sophomore in Musical Theatre at the prestigious University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music . The teens were led by Tony and Renata Marino , both Equity actors for over two decades . Joining these directors was the voice team of Lauren-Rose King and Christopher McAllister .
Stage Right ’ s School of the Performing Arts presented “ Shrek The Musical Jr .” at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center . Pictured from left to right : Emma Kate Angelo , 12 , of Perryopolis ; Aleena Martin , 11 , of Blairsville ; Ben Federico , 12 , of Latrobe .
Stage Right ’ s School of the Performing Arts presented “ Heathers The Musical ( High School Edition )” at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center . Pictured from left to right : Aliya Pimental , 14 , of Mt . Pleasant ; Maura Rygg , 15 , of Harrison City ; Jesse Chovanec , 17 , of Blairsville ; Grace Rusnica , 14 , of Irwin ; Anthony Marino , 17 , of Greensburg .
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