EDITOR’S NOTE I: This is the last installment in a five-part series on the history of Bridgeport High School theatre.

 

By Maggie Lohmann

 

Last week, the 40^th season of theatre at Bridgeport High School concluded after showings of the all-school play “Peter Pan” closed. This was a show that captured the spirit of the BHS program and reflected its goals and aspirations. Adults were able to enjoy the story while younger students were inspired by the performances—maybe enough that they too will participate in productions once reaching the high school.

 

“I believe that we were able to bring the magic of ‘Peter Pan’ to life,” said Sarah Young of the performances. This was achieved despite losing several rehearsals to snow and flood days. “I was amazed with the effort and dedication the students brought to make up for lost time,” Young added.

               

“Peter Pan” also offered middle school students a chance to further their acting careers. This option was offered because junior shows, formerly offered through an apprentice program, were not produced for middle schoolers during the 40^th season.

               

The previous four years, younger and older students were able to grow and learn about live theatre on and off the stage. The apprentice program served as a way to increase excitement among younger students about theatre and help high schoolers learn more about the work that goes on behind the scenes.

               

This program was initiated by director and BHS alumnus, Jason Young in 2011. That year—in addition to the two high school shows—“101 Dalmatians, Kids” was produced with elementary actors and “High School Musical, Jr.” with middle school actors. The next year “Annie, Jr” was brought to life, followed by “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” and “Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.” in subsequent years. High school students worked alongside members of the production staff to learn about their job fit into the technical aspect of a show. Students were able to assist in the areas of directing, musical direction, choreography, stage management, costume design, hair and make-up design, lighting design, property design, scenic design, or sound design.

 

“I really enjoyed the Kids and Jr. shows because of how involved the high school students were in their production,” Jason Young said. “Mentoring student directors, choreographers, stage managers, and others was fulfilling, and I think probably the biggest educational impact I have made on the program.”

 

High school students like Kara Mullins also appreciated this opportunity. She said she enjoyed helping younger students to start working toward their high school theatre careers. “That was a great experience, knowing that those kids were ready to have the same fun I just had.”

 

Eighth grader, Caroline Fulks, began in the apprentice program when she performed in “101 Dalmatians, Kids.” She then appeared in “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” in 2013 and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr.” in 2014 before playing the role of Jane in “Peter Pan.” Fulks said “my involvement not only helped me to grow as a performer, but also bring me closer to my fellow peers and classmates. I have learned an abundance of skills and also to take the stage with confidence. I love that they put the spotlight on the middle school age group so that we could show off all of our talents.”

 

While the program continues to use new means of drawing more members from the community into theatre, a Bridgeport High School teacher has been the program’s backbone, a link between the past, present, and future productions, since day one. Mrs. Alice Rowe 

has served as Producer since the birth of the program with the production of “The Matchmaker,” all the way to “Peter Pan.”  

 

According to Griff Cotter, member of the BHS Class of 2009, his involvement with Mrs. Rowe’s journalism courses led to his time on the stage. He said, a “blessing about the theater department is the first class journalism department behind it. I was heavily involved in journalism, so I spent a lot of time in the same place as a lot of things theatre. I was so close that it was only a matter of time before someone got me to an audition. And I am sure glad they did.” Cotter went on to perform in three of BHS’s theatrical productions.

 

Robert Marra reflected on Rowe’s achievement when he said, “I think it’s amazing that she is still active in the program. It is quite an accomplishment to have served that number of people through the years. I feel that in a way, the program is a tribute to her.”

 

Editor’s Note: Maggie Lohmann is a student in Mrs. Alice Rowe’s journalism class and submitted this story to Connect-Bridgeport.com. Photos by Tyler Maxwell of benqueenphotography.com.