March is Theatre in Our Schools Month, and students across San Diego Unified School District are stepping into the spotlight with a season of live productions showcasing the district’s Visual and Performing Arts programming.
Among those performers are two Patrick Henry High School students currently rehearsing the musical comedy “Bye Bye Birdie.”
Isabelle Chase, 17, is a senior who has participated in theater all four years at Patrick Henry.
“To me, being involved in school theater means having to learn how to work with many different people who you may not have normally chosen to be around, but discovering how amazing each person is,” Chase said. “I’ve been in theater class and participated in an extra musical every year that I’ve been at Henry, and a huge reason why I’ve kept coming back is that no two shows and no two casts are ever the same. You never really know what to expect, but every year without fail, I’ve left the performances with a newfound family of people I never thought I’d ever even speak to, and it genuinely feels amazing.”
Lola Kern, 16, is a junior who has been part of the theater department since her freshman year. She plays Kim MacAfee in “Bye Bye Birdie.”
“Through portraying Kim MacAfee in ‘Bye Bye Birdie,’ I have been able to learn what it means to become a woman in modern times, and how being young is not a burden, but really, a trial-and-error to explore who you are and who you’d like to become,” Kern said. “I hope the audience is able to immerse themselves in the Sweet Apple, Ohio community and feel like they are part of the show because of the live orchestra, bright costumes and vibrant energy.”
Productions like these reflect the district’s commitment to student wellness and motivation, key priorities outlined in the Board of Education’s Goals and Guardrails. The performing arts give students opportunities to build confidence, collaborate with peers, develop creative problem-solving skills, and connect to their school communities in meaningful ways.
Spring productions are in full swing across the district. Upcoming shows include:
“Shrek: The Musical Jr.” at Longfellow TK-8, March 13, 14, 20 and 21
“Shrek: The Musical Jr.” at Wilson Middle School, March 18–20
“Willy Wonka Jr.” at CPMA, March 17–20
“Matilda: The Musical” at La Jolla High School, March 19–21
These are just some of the productions happening across the district this spring. Families are encouraged to check with their student’s school, as many campuses are staging their own shows throughout the month. For more information about VAPA programming, visit sandiegounified.org/vapa
Article written by a communications team member on behalf of the San Diego Unified School District Strategic Communications and Information Department.