Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life's big moments.
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This week's Spotlight is All Saints Catholic School of Hayward, California, and their production of The Dastardly Doctor Devereux. Lotta Cash, a wealthy widow, must be on the lookout. The evil Dogsbreath Devereaux, M.D. plans to marry Lotta so he can inherit her fortune and her late husband’s clinic. Helping him is the nasty nurse, Hilda Hatchet, whom he promises to wed after he gets rid of Lotta. Wild? Well, talk about medical mania when the insanely jealous Hilda catches Dogsbreath flirting with our heroine, Wendy March. We can only hope that Dr. Phil Good, our hero, can save Wendy and the unsuspecting Lotta from certain death.
All Saints Office Manager Sue Porter shared with Playbill all the reasons why PLAYBILLDER is a holy grail resource for her school's theatre program and how the students change for the better through performance.
Tell us a little about yourself. How many years have you been teaching?
Sue Porter: [Choreographer] Jennifer Diaz is our principal and head of musical theatre at our school. She has been teaching since 1986.
What are the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of teaching the performing arts to today’s students?
The value we see in having a theatre program is seeing the internal growth of the students. They are more confident and learn to work as a team. It's not just about the performance, but also about the journey as individuals that changes them for the better. The most challenging aspect of teaching performing is technology, specifically cell phones. We are asking [our students] to create something that's not digital and doesn't provide instant gratification. It requires tenacity and commitment to bring to fruition.
Tell us a little bit about the production. What made you pick the show?
I picked this show because it's a musical comedy, which is my preference for junior high students. We pick the show based on the cast members' gifts. We are very cognizant of the skillset and comfort level of each student.
What are the kids loving about the show?
Once the students understood the gags and puns [the humor] was something they really liked about the show.
How has PLAYBILLDER impacted your performing arts program as a resource?
Having PLAYBILLDER as a resource adds an amazing touch of professional flair to our program that we would not otherwise have. We are a small private school and do just about everything ourselves. Our principal runs our musical with the assistance of two close friends and former coworkers (a retired musical theater director and musician). The program is supported by a staff of one in our office.
We are so grateful to have PLAYBILLDER from every perspective, from the ability to have a professional looking, user-friendly Playbill, to the positive impressions that it leaves on our students, our families, and prospective families about our school and program, to the cost savings it provides. The students are always surprised and very excited to see it. They feel super special. It is a incredibly valuable part of our performing arts program!
Our first production of Doctor Devereaux 11 years ago sparked a love of theatre and acting for one of our students. She went on to participate in theatre in high school, attended a performing arts college (receiving many accolades), and has had television roles. That was the year we discovered, and used, PLAYBILLDER and have used it ever since.
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