High School in the Spotlight: Portage Central High School

Based on user demand, BWW is taking our commitment to arts education one step further with the launch of the BWW Student Center - High School Edition. This directory features upcoming show listings for more than 1500 high schools nationwide with more being added each week. Schools can register for 'enhanced' listings on the site - adding in photos, cast lists, videos, links and more. Productions that take advantage of this will receive highlights on our listing pages, extra editorial mentions and potential spotlight features.

And just like we do with our College Center, each week BWW will be selecting a high-school program and featuring it as our 'School in the Spotlight: High-School Edition'. 

This week on High School in the Spotlight, we are thrilled to showcase the efforts of Portage Central High School in Portage, Michigan! This pick comes to us courtesy of a recommendation submitted by former student Brianna who wrote that the theater program "sets the bar at the same level as any professional/Broadway theatre show and produces productions to that caliber". Under the direction of Kathy Mulay, Portage Central's theatre program has garnered national and international recognition with invitations, on three separate occasions, to take part in the renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of the American High School Theatre Festival program. 

Drama students at Portage are immersed in introductory and advanced academic, technical and performance aspects of drama. Students can also enroll in electives such as Musical Theatre Workshops, technical theatre internships and theatre practice and performance via the Education for the Arts (EFA) program. Meeting off-campus in a professional theater setting, students have the opportunity to work with guest artists and hone their skills in improvisation, writing, directing and acting, all the while participating in productions and enhancing their knowledge of the industry by building up relationships with professional theater companies in the community. 

One of the many strengths of Portage Central's drama program is their ambitious production seasons. Past shows include 'Thoroughly Modern Millie', 'Miss Saigon', 'The Scarlet Pimpernel', 'Ragtime' , 'Evita' and 'Les Miserables'. The department's recent collaboration with Walled Lake Western High School resulted in a sold-out production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical 'The Phantom of the Opera'. The show proved to be such a hit that it was extended to accommodate high ticket demand. To see photos of past shows, click here!

To learn more about performing arts at Portage Central High, click here.

So, thank you to Brianna for bringing Portage Central to our attention and congratulations to students, Ms. Mulay and everyone else involved with this fantastic program!

If you would like to be considered for a School in the Spolight: High School Edition or have questions/concerns/suggestions related to BWW's student center, please contact studentcenter@broadwayworld.com

Photo of 'The Phantom of the Opera' by Portage Central High School, 2011.