Chantilly High School theater continues to be successful due to the amazing amount of performance opportunites it offers its students.
Students who are in their first or second year of theater are offered opportunites for lead roles even in their early years at Chantilly.
Along with the mainstage productions that are produced every fall and spring, there is another production that is offered exculisively to Drama I and Drama II students — the Children's Show.
The Children's Show is a family-oriented production that is suitable for audiences of all ages. Not only do these productions offer performance opportunites for Chantilly's first- and second-year students, it gives more oppportunites for students interested in the technical aspects of theater to create and design for several shows a year.
Last fall, Chantilly produced "My Very Own Story," directed by 2000 Chantilly graduate Shannon Walker. Three narrators are accidently booked on the same evening to share the experinces of their "very own stories," however; problems arise when they realize they are going to have to share the spotlight.
As one narrator tells his story, we find the other narrators jumping in the scenes and constantly adding new twists and turns at every angle. The show included a variety of delightful and charming characters and the community and parents got to see the amazing talent that these students have at such an early stage.
Chantilly tries to get as many students involved as possible. For most of the children's shows, directors Ed Monk and Shannon Spicer choose to "double-cast" the shows. This way there are actually two casts performing the same show and they alternate performances.
This spring, Spicer will be directing "Stop Sending in the Clowns" by Pat Cook. This is another fun-filled comedy that is made for audience members of all ages and a great night out for the family.
Two circus con men are threatend by the evil Beulah Von Schemellie to have their circus foreclosed on and they will do anything it takes to keep the circus alive. Between Amazing Shirley, the near-sighted knife thrower, 20 clowns jumping in throughout the show and the amazingly comical characters we run into throughout the show, audiences are in for a night to remember.
"I am so thrilled to find such a great show that will keep the children as well as adults laughing the entire night. The students are so talented and are having such a great time with this show, it is going to be a great success."
The circus will be performing for audience members as they enter the auditiorium and offers snacks, clowns, ballon animals, face painting and tons of fun for the whole family ... and that is before the show even begins!
Chantilly invites all members of the community to come and see what their department has to offer the world of theater!
"Stop Sending in the Clowns" will be performed on May 31 at 7:30 p.m., June 1 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and June 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $4. For any addtional information, call the Chantilly Theater Department at 703-222-8182.