By Susan Motander
Monrovia Unified School District is sponsoring another musical this holiday season, but in so doing, more than just an entertaining experience is being produced. Fittingly, there is a learning experience going on as well. This time, the production is Hairspray with four performances on Friday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m., on Saturday Dec, 5 at 2 and 8 p.m. and finally on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.
While several Monrovia High School students are in the cast including China Simpson in the pivotal role of Little Inez, there are even more students working behind the scenes learning stage-raft, a truly marketable skill. Leading and teaching them is Martin Tyler, a Monrovia High School graduate whose first lessons in the field were learned in the high school.
After graduating from MHS in 2008 Tyler began working behind the scenes at the Orange County Pavilion, an elegant event center featuring major productions and well-known entertainers. After working throughout this area in the technical aspects of staging productions especially sound and lighting, Tyler returned to MHS to share his knowledge with students.
Some of the students have been working for several years on the musicals and other productions at MHS. Among them is Jennifer Little who has been on the “tech team” for three years. She said part of the reason she enjoys working without the glory of being on stage is the sense of accomplishment she feels when a production is staged. “I like the feeling I get when a show is complete,” she said.
Daniel Ramirez who has been working behind the scenes for two years said, “It is cool to see what goes on behind the main show.” Ramirez is finishing his last year at MHS before joining the Marine Corps on its deferred enlistment program.
A “newbee” to the tech class is Jorge Loera who is working with his first production this season. His comment was simple. “I like learning the correct name for things. There is a difference between plywood and luhan,” he said smiling.
“Having the students work with professionals on these musicals is important as it requires that they behave in a more professional manner themselves, “ Tyler said. “When they are working on student productions it is with all their friends and buddies. Here they must take their responsibilities more seriously.”
Not only does Hairspray teach a lesson in tolerance and acceptance on stage, but it is teaching real lessons in the wings to the students working there.
Tickets are available online through Brown Paper Tickets. General admission is $25, Students and children under 12 are $15, Seniors and groups tickets (for groups of 10 or more) are $20. There are also VIP tickets at just $35. Visit the Taylor Performing Arts Center’s website for full information www.lktaylorperformingarts.com.
