Page, 9 June 20-26, 2018 25 CENTS NEWSSTAND PRICE Irvin Baker Jr. shakes hands with Mountain View Principal Gary Morris before receiving his diploma. Classifieds, Page 10 Classifieds, v Calendar, Page 12 Mountain View Grads Praise Their School News, Page 3 6-21 -18 6-21 in home home in Requested Requested material. material. Time sensitive sensitive Time Postmaster: Postmaster: Wexton to Take Attention permit #322 permit Easton, MD Easton, PAID On Comstock Postage U.S. News, Page 4 STD PRSRT Photo by Bonnie Hobbs/Centre View by Bonnie Hobbs/Centre Photo online at www.connectionnewspapers.com News ‘Nothing about What Happened Is OK’ Westfield grad Chaz Coffin is in “The Scottsboro Boys.” By Bonnie Hobbs haz Alexander Coffin, a 2012 Westfield High Cgrad, recently re- of Chaz Coffin Courtesy Photos turned to this area. But he’s not just here visiting fam- ily and friends — he has one of the lead roles in Signature Chaz Coffin graduated from Theatre’s production of “The Westfield High. Scottsboro Boys.” clowns moving the show from one A musical based on a true story scene to another with one-liners of racism and injustice in the Jim and the shake of a tambourine. Crow South, the show opened May “There’s something special about 29 and runs through July 1, and African-American men onstage possibly longer. The theater is at telling their stories,” said Coffin. 4200 Campbell Ave. in Arlington’s “The Scottsboro Boys” at Signature Theatre: Singing in front row are (from left) Chaz “We also portray the white sheriff Village at Shirlington. For tickets, Alexander Coffin and Stephen Scott Wormley. (Back row, from left) are Jonathan Adriel, and prison guard, and it’s interest- go to SigTheatre.org. Aramie Payton, Andre Hinds and Darrell Purcell Jr. ing being blacks playing whites “It’s draped in the framework of who oppress the show’s black a minstrel show,” said Coffin. “But “Hairspray.” He later received his boys’ defense attorney. from the train and taken to the characters.” it’s a hard-hitting, controversial bachelor’s in fine arts from East It’s the true story of nine, black, nearest jail — in Scottsboro, Ala. As the defense attorney, Coffin production that touches people’s Carolina University and acted in young men, ages 12-19, who were Their story made national news, portrays Samuel Leibowitz, con- emotions.” several, professional productions riding on a freight train in north- was sensationalized by the South- sidered an outsider because he While at Westfield, besides ap- throughout the country. (See ern Alabama in 1931, en route to ern press and spurred the involve- was a Jew from New York. “This pearing in several shows, Coffin sidebar.) Memphis to find jobs. A fight broke ment of the NAACP and the ACLU. role resonated with me the most also performed with The Alliance Then in April, he answered a out between black and white A prominent, New York defense because Leibowitz was the good Theatre and won a Washington casting call in New York for “The youths, and the nine blacks plus attorney took their case, pro bono, guy and has more of an impact Area Theatre Community Honors Scottsboro Boys.” He initially au- two white women were rounded and the boys became a symbol of than the other characters I por- (WATCH) award for best actor in ditioned for one of the boys, but up. Someone said the word, American injustice. tray,” said Coffin. “I also have a Alliance’s summer 2011 musical, got the roles of Mr. Tambo and the “rape,” and the boys were pulled Tambo is one of two, minstrel See Performing, Page 10 Chaz Alexander Coffin From Comedy to Musicals, Drama builds his theatrical resumé. By Bonnie Hobbs His advice to other, aspiring ac- acted in “The Addams Family” and tors is to “keep moving. Even if “Sister Act” in Clarksville, Ind. “At ctively pursuing a career in the the- you’re not performing, keep hus- this point, I was getting a lot of com- Aater, Westfield High graduate Chaz tling toward what you want to do. edy roles — which were still new Alexander Coffin has compiled a Get yourself seen, meet people, au- to me,” he said. “But I was getting steady and varied resumé showcasing his dition and keep trying.” accustomed to them and enjoying talents as an actor in musicals, comedy and Coffin’s first, professional lead them.” drama. was as Donkey in ‘“Shrek” in Then last summer, Coffin moved In college at East Carolina University, one Bigfork, Mont. “It was a Broadway to New York to learn what it was of his favorite roles was an African dwarf musical; and as long as I wanted to like being an actor there. But after who became a jester in the comedy, “Las do theater, I wanted to play Don- four months, he booked “Dream Meninas” (“The Little Maids”). “It was fun key,” he said. “So it meant a lot to Girls” in Columbus, Ohio. “It was and fulfilling,” he said. “And I learned a lot me to leave college and do my another dream role of mine, C.C., about myself and what I could do as an ac- dream role. Effie’s brother who writes the tor because it was a straight play and not a This was one of four shows we did of Chaz Coffin Courtesy Photo songs,” said Coffin. “Everybody musical. in summer 2016.” loved him and he was relatable, and I also played Benny, one of the eight leads “In college, I was trained mostly wasn’t flashy or a villain or drug- in ‘Rent.’ He’s often seen as a villain, so I in drama, and Donkey is the most abusing singer, like the other guys liked diving into a different dynamic and fun, iconic character in that show,” in the show.” making him likable.” continued Coffin. “It was the most It also meant a great deal to him Coffin then began his professional career challenging responsibility, and I got because it was his first role since and was happy to put to good use the les- to sing by myself, too. college that wasn’t comedic, but sons he’d learned at Westfield. Since his But the best part was meeting kids more like a real person. And it en- theater directors there had taught him “pro- and families from the audience and abled him to get into the member- fessionalism, poise and how to talk to getting their excited responses af- ship candidacy program for Equity, people,” he was well-prepared to audition ter the show.” the professional union for stage ac- and already had jobs lined up upon gradu- He was next in the ensemble of Chaz Alexander Coffin as Richard Roe in tors. ating from ECU. “The Wiz” in Sarasota, Fla., and “Machinal” at East Carolina University. See Builds, Page 10 2 ❖ Centre View ❖ June 20-26, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News ‘Filled with an Abundance of Love’ Mountain View grads praise their high school. By Bonnie Hobbs t the start of Mountain View High’s graduation ceremony last A week, Assistant Principal Claudia Pirouzan-Jones told the students, “You share the common bond of being part of the Mountain View family. And the school’s motto of ‘Family, Love and Re- spect’ lives within your soul.” by Bonnie Hobbs Photos The graduation was Tuesday, June 12, at Centreville High and was powerful and heartfelt because — unlike students at larger, traditional high schools — those at Mountain View have more obstacles to over- come. So their diplomas signify the achieve- ments they’ve made and the future poten- tial on the horizon. “You have perseverance, grit, intelligence Graduate Denilson Aguilar Lopez with (from left) siblings Randy and Koshin Khalif receives his diploma and drive,” said Pirouzan-Jones. “You’re Amy and parents Yolanda and Ramon. from Principal Gary Morris. resilient and strong, and you have a lot to be proud of.” She then thanked the parents and all members of the Mountain View fam- ily and had the seniors stand and applaud to show their gratitude. Saying he shared the graduates’ joy and excitement, Principal Gary Morris told them, “Because of our experiences together, I’m truly touched by this day.” He then read a letter he wrote to his youngest child, tell- ing her he has a renewed confidence in her future because of the 68 new Mountain View Timber Wolf graduates who’ll lead the way for her. He said no path to success is ever truly straight, but she can reach it by possessing the four characteristics these grads have. The first is being courageous. Whenever he ESOL teacher Elizabeth Park (center) presents Citi- English teacher Courtney McPhee gives Personal felt down and wanted to stay home from zenship Awards to (from left) Charlotte Williams and Achievement Awards to Jose Ramos Cantarero and See Mountain View, Page 8 Duc My Tran. Callie Harry. Mountain View’s Brito Bright Future for Local Graduate earns two scholarships. By Ellen Fay your high-school journey. pant in the Mountain View Fam- For most students, high school ily. In the past, you have repre- Below is the speech given by Mountain can be a challenge. But when a sented the school at the View High Counselor Ellen Fay, last week, student is in a new country, with- to graduating student Brayan Perez Brito Superintendent’s Round Table, before presenting him with the school’s out family and not understanding you were a member of the Moun- Faculty Award. the language or the culture, the tain View student council and obstacles can seem president of the school’s Environ- “ rayan, when you com- insurmountable.Your commitment mental club.