Wednesday, January 15, 2025
You may remember Disney Channel’s High School Musical as a childhood classic, or at least someone in your family does. This season at West Hempstead Secondary School, the 7th and 8th grade students starred in a theatrical iteration of the popular film, High School Musical Jr. The junior version of the play is designed for students of a certain age, since they don’t quite meet the age requirement to be in an adaptation of High School Musical.
High School Musical Jr. was performed on two nights, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22. West Hempstead Secondary School enlisted their own Special Education and English teacher Victoria Gerbino as the director of this production. This marks Gerbino’s second year directing plays for the school.
Though it seems Gerbino hasn’t been in the director’s chair for long, she is no stranger to theater community. “I’ve done theater my whole life,” she said. “I did theater in college as well. I taught at a couple of local community theaters for a few years but this is my first time directing at a school I’ve taught at.”
Gerbino’s educator experience is nearly 11 years of teaching the English language. More and more, the connection between literature and the arts shines through at this school.
As noted by Gerbino on opening night, “The show is run by high schoolers. We (junior crew) lead it onstage, but the high school drama club is producing every curtain that’s opening, light that’s flashing and sound you hear. It’s really amazing to have them incorporated in this.”
Executing an entire production requires more help than what meets the eye. Some important behind-the-scenes entities include the stage director, stage manager, musical director and crew, to name a few.
Natalia Antkowiak served as the musical director for this production, and the previous year’s high school production of Mamma Mia. The direction team thanked the families of the students involved for “letting them live there during the rehearsal process.”
“About 60-70 man hours went into the making of this show, plus Saturday rehearsals” Antkowiak said. “There are 24 kids in the cast. We have about 25 crew members, with 15 of them working the show tonight.”
Crewmembers don’t just learn and design effects for the show. Sometimes they move set pieces in scene changes, and are regarded as “stagehands.” Other times they sell refreshments and show merchandise to raise money for the theater that was previously on the production.
Quinn Betty DuPrey Anderson, a 12 year old 7th grader did was one of the concessions handlers for this play. Her role was one that is ever changing.
“Tomorrow I’m going to have to change the sets or still be in the snack bar,” she said. “This is my second time doing theater. I have four friends performing in the play. I think I might audition for one of the next ones.”
According to schooltheatre.org, 100% of school administrators agreed that theatre programs strengthen students’ creativity skills. This source also states that creative drama enhances fluent and flexible thinking in young students.
Francine Romeo, the stage director of HSM jr. detailed her duties on this play. The role is easily mistaken for the role of stage manager, but it is a step up from that.
“I plan what the set is going to look like and we figure out how to build it with the kids,” Romeo said. “I get their input and they help with everything.”
Gerbino made sure to order the rights to the play in June, so nothing would fall behind schedule. The dedication of all parties involved was met with ravaging applause from audience members, as well as proud smiles and bows from those who graced the stage.
