High School in the Spotlight: Shawnee Mission North 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'. 

Today, BWW heads to Shawnee Mission North High School in Overland Park, Kansas, where the Theatre Department has earned this week's High School in the Spotlight mention! Shawnee Mission High describes its theatre program as an inclusive environment where there is something for everyone, "Whether acting onstage, working backstage with lights, sound, costumes, makeup, props, box office, ushering, or helping build the set and paint it, theatre has myriad activites and is a lot of fun!"

Started in 1942, Shawnee Mission North's Theatre Department has offered students a comprehensive curriculum in the theater arts including courses in introduction to drama, playwriting, scene study, technical theatre, and acting. The department also offers a Repertory Theatre program focusing on playwriting, performance, film and youth theatre, which includes 'Stagewrite' an outreach program aimed at teaching creative drama to elementary schools in the area. In addition, senior students can audition for the Advanced Repertory Theatre comedy troupe which produces two comedy and improv shows and also travels to elementary schools in the area. The work of the students and faculty has not gone unnoticed with the school earning various National and State Awards for its theatre program. For more information on the theatre curriculum, click here. 

The Department produces three mainstage productions per year, as well as lab plays and original one acts. The 2011-2012 theatre season began in the fall with Ken Ludwig's 'Moon Over Buffalo'. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical hit 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' took the stage in January, and 'Little Shop of Horrors' will close off the mainstage year when it hits the stage from March 27 to 31. For a full list of upcoming events, including sketch comedy and one-act offerings, click here. And check out photos from past year productions here! 

Congratulations to students and teachers at Shawnee Mission North High! Keep up the great work! 

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 "Moon Over Buffalo' production, 2010-2011.