North Penn High School Theatre and Thespians

North Penn High School Theatre and Thespians are in the midst of a busy 2014-2015 school year. In November the theatre students presented Once in a Lifetime, Kaufman and Hart’s hilarious comedy about the Silent Film era in Hollywood. Besides being enjoyed during the regular performances at North Penn High School, the production was also presented at the Pennsylvania State Thespian Festival at Central York High School on December 5. Professional responders to the performance cited the great comic pacing and delivery by all the actors, the terrific 1920s period costumes and Art Deco set, and the sophistication of the production which reached far beyond high school expectations. One reviewer said, “This is exactly what we have come to expect from North Penn!” and “Thank you for educating our students about this period of American Theatre History – they didn’t even know how much they were learning because they were having such a great time!”

Also at the Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference, senior Melissa Fuhr won the top Senior Scholarship for a student planning to major in theatre arts. In the Individual Events Category, senior Juliette Shipp with a solo musical performance and senior Victoria Finley, junior Jamie Devine, and sophomore Natalie Clauser in a group musical number all achieved Superior Ratings and qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival at Lincoln, Nebraska in June 2015. Junior Mary Beth Bloomer was also elected by her peers to serve a one- year term on the Student Thespian Board for Pennsylvania Thespians.

Senior Jackson Simpson auditioned for and appeared in the first All State Pennsylvania State Thespian Show “The Lullaby of Broadway” a 1920s musical revue. Thespian students from across Pennsylvania auditioned for the production; however, only five men and five women were chosen. The students learned their music prior to rehearsing for 13 hours the day before opening the 2014 Conference with the production. NPHS Theatre Teacher and Thespian Advisor, Andrea Lee Roney, wrote the revue and collaborated with Debra Buckner, NPHS Theatre co-director and choreographer, in directing the show. Mark Zortman, Pennsylvania State Thespian Director and Choral Director at Central York High School, served as musical director. The performance received a standing ovation and high marks from the over 1000 students and theatre teachers and directors in the audience.

Concluding the Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference, North Penn High School Thespian Troupe #5464 was awarded a Gold Honor Troupe Certificate for outstanding work in production, participation at the State Thespian Conference, and School and Community Outreach.

Part of the NPHS Thespian outreach includes an evening for middle school students held this year on January 23. Over sixty middle school theatre students joined nearly 40 NPHS Thespians for a wonderful evening of theatre and music workshops, pizza, performances, and discussions about life at North Penn High School.

Continuing fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, NPHS Thespians will host the 16th Annual Knight of the Arts Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Gala on February 20 with Lobby Performances and the Broadway Memorabilia Silent Auction beginning at 7:00 PM in the North Penn High School Lobby and auditorium performances beginning at 7:30 PM. Get a sneak peak at the upcoming middle school shows, performances by various students and clubs from the high school, and some other special guests and surprise performances. No ticket purchases are necessary, but a $5 donation to BC/EFA is suggested.

The NPHS Theatre spring will conclude with Titanic the Musical. Performances are scheduled for April 29 (Gold Card Matinee at 1:00 PM); April 30, May 2, and May 2 at 7:30 PM; and the Sunday Matinee on May 3 at 2:00 PM. Tickets will go on sale in mid-February. Follow the link from www.npenn.org. Titanic the Musical is the story of the real people who set sail on the “unsinkable ship” and how these ordinary human beings responded to an extraordinary situation. Like Phantom of the Opera and Les Mis, Titanic the Musical is set to thrilling music and tells an unforgettable story. Some special events, including a North Wales connection to the ship, are being planned.