- May 2025 -
The Last Day of School by Ian McWethy (One Act Comedy-Drama)
As many students in Bartow's Theatre Department geared up for graduation, the BHS Theatre Honor Society Board of Officers chose a short comedy-drama to explore the many bittersweet feelings of graduating high school. The show begins with a quirky senior who seeks revenge toward a fellow student by playing "Mr. Roboto" on repeat over the school's intercom on the last day of school. Other seniors become inspired by her, and a series of hilarious but heartfelt happenings ensue. The play reminds us of the bittersweet transition between high school and adulthood, and does so with a series of comically-charged, meaningful vignettes.
Due to scheduling challenges, the show was produced during school hours by my advanced theatre class, with sets and lights designed and installed by me after school. For this show, our top priorities were (1) to provide performance opportunities for advance theatre students to showcase their acting skills to the community, (2) to produce a budget-friendly show, and (3) to create a simplistic set that provided ample blocking opportunities while working within time constraints. The show was a blast to produce, design, direct, and perform in under 30 days! Enjoy our production photos below!
- February 2025 -
The Twisted Tale of the Townsends by Anna G Parmer (Dinner Theatre Mystery)
When I became the BHS Theatre Director in 2021, I learned the unfortunate reality that the school district doesn't provide operating budgets for high school theatre departments. In response, I created an annual season of shows and fundraisers to provide consistent funding for our students' theatre education. Our most fun and lucrative fundraiser has become the BHS Theatre Annual Dinner Theatre Fundraiser - an exclusive black-tie dinner & show that's catered by our culinary students. I used theatre courses to teach different styles of playwriting, including how to write interactive dinner theatre scripts. One of my students, Anna Parmer (now a University of Florida theatre student), embraced playwriting and subsequently led the writing of our annual dinner theatre benefit over four consecutive years. The event has become an annual "who's who" of theatre benefactors, with parents and community members frequently vying for the largest financial contribution through our accompanying silent auction. Held under the lights on our historic stage, this now-popular event has consistently provided crucial funds for theatre students to flourish in their pursuit of storytelling.
This year's Dinner Theatre was no exception! Anna's script, which followed a young heir as she foiled a plot from realtors attempting to steal her family's estate, was a comedic mystery that won the hearts of parents, staff, and community members. Our culinary department catered a full 5-course meal with perfection! Between ticket sales and basket auctions, we were able to raise more than enough money to sustain the department another year. See below as students readied the stage for this year's benefit!