Welcome to Playbill's new initiative, PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, highlighting shows and events from educational institutions 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.
Guide: How To Build Your Own Custom Program with PLAYBILLDER
This week's spotlight is Tamaqua Area High School of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania and their production of Sweeney Todd: School Edition. An unjustly exiled barber, Sweeney Todd, returns to 19th-century London to exact revenge against the judge who wronged him. Vengeance leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett's failing pie shop, above which he sets up a barber practice, inspiring the integration of a ghastly ingredient into her meat pies.
Language Arts teacher Adrian Drum shared with Playbill how theatre encourages students to learn "face-to-face" skills and selecting shows based on her students' strengths.
Tell us a little about yourself. How many years have you been teaching?
Adrian Drum: I have been teaching for 19 years, and I have been directing our drama club for 11 years.
Can you share a little bit about the value you see in having a performing arts program in schools?
I feel performing arts programs in schools are more valuable than ever because they promote face-to-face communication that seems to be declining in the rest of students' daily lives due to the impact of technology. Theatre allows students to develop analytical skills, promotes problem solving, critical thinking, and team work, and forces students to really think about what motivates and drives characters.
By allowing students to put themselves in a character's shoes, it gives them the ability to have better interpersonal relationships with others in real life. Theatre requires all cast and crew to be absolutely present every moment of every performance, and that is such a valuable lesson for young people to understand. You must be present in your daily life to be successful.
What are your dreams for how your drama department can grow?
Our current drama program spans grades 6-12. We are a middle school and high school organization. My ultimate dream for future growth of my drama department would be to extend our theatre program into our elementary schools to better create a feeder system and enable younger students to gain the extraordinary benefits of theatre.
Tell us a little bit about the production. What made you pick the show? How do you choose shows for your students?
I always select shows based on where our cast's strengths lie in a particular year. Right now, we have a very strong vocal ensemble, and I felt that we would be able to tackle Stephen Sondheim's extremely difficult music. We produce three full-length musicals each school year, so my selection is also based on providing show diversity for our audience while also allowing our students opportunities to work on different genres. Since we did Tarzan in November and will be doing Floyd Collins in May, Sweeney Todd gave them the opportunity to take on a darker show with complex characters.
What are the kids loving about the show?
Our students have loved the intensity of the ensemble vocals, especially in the show's opening and closing numbers.
What reactions do you expect to see in students when they see their name printed in this Playbill for the first time?
The Playbill release is always an exciting day for our entire cast and crew. It takes an army to make our productions successful, and the Playbill allows for the recognition of all contributing members of the organization.
To design Broadway-quality programs for your next show, head to PLAYBILLDER.com. Who knows, you might just be featured in our next PLAYBILLDER Spotlight!
