“Theater literally takes up half my heart.”
High School Student, Brooklyn
There’s a place for us, a place for all of us. Tonight, we gather from widely diverse backgrounds and neighborhoods as a single community to celebrate outstanding public high school theatrical productions from across New York City. This year’s fourth annual Shubert High School Theatre Festival highlights five inspired productions featuring over 150 student artists who welcome us into the worlds of their plays.
Theater provides a common place for participants and audiences to feel, to reflect, to invest, to pause, to laugh, to argue, to act, to empathize…to care. As our larger society wrestles with how we care for one another, how crucial for our teens to have a place and time to explore these big issues thorough substantial theatrical works in dedicated classes, rehearsals and performances. Thank you for celebrating the next generation of motivated young artists who collaborated to produce meaningful theater and then share it. In the following pages, each school offers thoughts on their play or musical among photos from their full school productions.
Theater also entertains. Tonight we feature outstanding performances that balance message and artistry, selected from over 25 schools across the city by a panel of professional theatre artists. From singing and dancing iconic musical numbers to capturing an expressionistic style of acting, tonight’s performers share a glimpse of the full scale productions that wowed their school communities, their peers and our artist adjudicators.
Youth today are required to navigate a rapidly-changing world. Their ability to confidently adapt, collaborate and revise prepares them for life off the stage as well. Whether analyzing texts, performing in an ensemble or building sets, students actively develop skills that prepare them for any stage or place in life. Thus, students participated in afternoon technique workshops prior to this evening’s event, reinforcing our Festival’s training and educational focus. Through exposure to all aspects of theater performance and production, students are encouraged to view theater as a legitimate career path.
On behalf of Chancellor Carmen Farina and the NYCDOE Office of Arts and Special Projects, thank you for supporting these young theater makers, their dedicated teachers and their schools. We especially thank The Shubert Foundation and The Shubert Organization for fully funding this Festival, a place for our diverse community to applaud these passionate student artists.
PETER AVERY
Festival Producer
