Students on stage in theater productions
High school students preparing for fall plays, spring musicals
With the 2017-2018 academic
year moving along, Gaston County
Schools is shining the spotlight on
drama productions. Students across
the county are working toward fall and
spring productions that promote the
performing arts in our schools.
Ballard also knows the significance
of sharing theater. Hunter Huss
students presented “Dr. Seuss on the
Loose” to area kindergarten students
earlier this month.
“I heard once that arts are
transcultural,” she said. “Theater and
dance can bring people from all ages,
walks of life, and religion and political
views together. It’s important for
students to experience that in addition
to the confidence boost, problem-
solving skills, and creativity they get
from sharing their work.”
Some schools are putting an
emphasis on plays this fall. Hunter
Huss High School hosted a production
of “Dr. Seuss on the Loose” for area
kindergarten students while East Gaston
High School is staging two one-act
plays: “10 Ways to Survive a Zombie
Apocalypse” and “Brothers Grimm
Spectaculathon.” South Point High School
produced the play, “12 Angry Men.”
Chuck Stowe, theater arts teacher at Stuart W. Cramer High
School, believes a play challenges students in new ways. Being
involved in a high school play teaches students about acting, staging,
scripts, set design, directing, being in front of an audience, and more.
“Our fall production of Shakespeare’s ‘MacBeth’ is pushing
the students to excel in every area,” said Stowe. “We’re pulling in
regional experts to help train our students.”
further their programs.
Stowe said drama teachers in
Gaston County rely on one another to
“It’s exciting to hear and see what my colleagues and their
students are doing,” he said. “Every program is getting stronger
each year. The Gaston County theater arts and dance teachers work
closely to support one another and encourage continued growth.”
Below is a list of the fall plays and spring musicals. Check with the
school for times and ticket prices.
Spring is the time for musicals. With shows like Footloose
(Forestview), The Music Man (Ashbrook), The Little Mermaid
(Highland), Zombie Prom (South Point), and Cinderella (Stuart W.
Cramer), our high schools are giving Broadway exposure to students
in Gaston County. n March 1-3: “The Little Mermaid” (Highland)
Julie Ballard, theater arts teacher at Hunter Huss, said the
emphasis on the fine arts in schools give people a common interest
and teach students important skills. n April 19-21: “Footloose” (Forestview)
n March 23-24: “Zombie Prom” (South Point)
n April (TBD): “The Music Man” (Ashbrook)
n April 20-22: “Cinderella” (Stuart W. Cramer)
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