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View Winners → ‘The Secret in the Wings’ Nov. 19
Arcadia Weekly Nov 05, 2015
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Arcadia High students in a previous production. – Courtesy Photo
The award-winning theater students of Arcadia High School are currently in rehearsal for their fall play, The Secret in the Wings by Mary Zimmerman. This imaginative play intertwines elements from the classic story of Beauty and the Beast with witty and humorous Grimm-type fairy tales. As the story unfolds, a young girl learns important lessons about inner beauty from her mysterious and frightening babysitter as she travels on a magical and musical journey of self-discovery.
Steven Volpe, the Arcadia High School Theatre Director, is producing the play while Whitney LaBarge, who brought the spell-binding steampunk production of Alice in Wonderland to this same stage a year ago, returns as Guest Director. The very experienced Technical Director, Keith DeLuca, is mentoring the AHS stagecraft students as they create and build their elaborate set.
Mike Berger, who frequently works as a lighting director for award shows such as The Academy Awards, The Grammies, and The Tony Awards, will once again weave his magic as Lighting Director. A fantastic musical accompaniment will be directed by the multi-talented Dr. Stephen Pu.
This production is sponsored in part by Rose Hill Memorial Park which has been a long time community supporter of arts education at AHS. “Arts education is a valued part of our district’s curriculum and we are grateful to Rose Hills for their support in providing these opportunities for our students,” commented Arcadia Unified School District Superintendent David Vannasdall. While Arcadia High School Principal Dr. Brent Forsee added, “We appreciate the continued support from Rose Hills for our theatre department and we are very proud of our students’ accomplishments.”
Proud indeed! This cast recently returned triumphant from a local theatre competition. All 43 Arcadia High contestants made it to the semi-finals round of the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California Fall Competition. In this competition against 85 high schools and over 2,000 students, Arcadia took home First Place trophies in the Technical category of Costume Design and in the Performance category of Scenes from an International Playwright. They also garnered Second Place for Sets & Lighting and Third Place trophies for both Graphics & Publicity and for the student written piece, “Ripped from the Headlines.”
These same talented students will be presenting The Secret in the Wings on Nov. 19 to 21 at 7 p.m. at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center, 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia. It’s a show you won’t want to miss. Tickets are $15 for General Admission and $10 for senior citizens and students. VIP tickets are $30. Tickets may be purchased online at arcadiastage.com or in person at Denny’s Restaurant.
Arcadia High students in a previous production. – Courtesy Photo
