High School in the Spotlight: Staples 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'. 

For this week's High School Spotlight, we have another multimedia feature as we introduce you to the Theatre Program at Staples High School! Located in Westport, Connecticut, the Theatre Program offers classes in introductory and advanced general Theatre studies, Directing, and Costume Design. Graduates from Staples' Theatre Program have transitioned into successful careers in the arts with notable alumni including actor Michael Hayden, actor/playwright/producer David Marshall Grant, composer Justin Paul, movie director Daryl Wein, and playwright Leslye Headland to name a few. Alumni have also gone gone on to higher education in the arts with students enrolling in post-secondary studies at The Juilliard School, Carnegie Mellon University, Yale School of Drama, Ithaca College, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, The Cincinnati Conservatory, Boston University, and many other prestigious academic institutions.

Housed within Staples High is the award-winning performance group, The Staples Players, whose robust production season routinely sells out the 900-seat school auditorium. Helmed by Theatre teacher and Staples High School alum David Roth and aided by Associate Director Kerry Long, the Staples Players have entertained the community with productions for over 50 years. The Players' body of work has earned critical acclaim, winning the Moss Hart Award bestowed upon the organization by the New England Theatre Conference.

The Staples Players' most recent production, 'Into The Woods' ran from March 16 to 24, 2012. Tony Award-winning actress and 'Into the Woods' original Broadway cast member Joanna Gleason made a very special guest cameo as the recorded voice of the Giant's Wife (check out a photo of the recording session below!). Other recent staged works have included West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Rent, Curtains, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Romeo & Juliet, 12 Angry Men, Beauty and the Beast, Book of Days, The Laramie Project, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Upcoming shows include the 12th annual One-Act Play Festival playing on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29. The festival is conceived, directed, designed and performed by students enrolled in the Directing Class. The upcoming Spring production will be 'Almost, Maine' playing May 24, 25 and 26, and Luigi Pirandello's 'Six Characters in Search of an Author' will play the Black Box theatre space on June 8 and 9. For more information on past and Current Productions, click here.

To learn more about Staples High School and the Staples Players, click here or like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Staples-Players 

To get a glimpse of this talented group at work, scroll below to see photos and videos of past productions! 

Cast of WEST SIDE STORY

INTO THE WOODS

Tony Award-winning actress Joanna Gleason records her voice as The Giant's Wife. Pictured from L to R are Joanna Gleason, Michelle Pauker, Claire Smith and Ryan Shea.

'Last Midnight' (INTO THE WOODS)

'I'll Cover You' (RENT)

'Tonight' (WEST SIDE STORY)

'Take Me or Leave Me' (RENT)

ROMEO & JULIET

'Agony' (INTO THE WOODS)

Check out more videos on Staples' YouTube channels here and here!

Congratulations to everyone at Staples High School and The Staples Players for earning this week's School in the Spotlight mention! 

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

Photos: Staples Players. With special thanks to Kerry Long.