We’re going to DisneyWorld! That’s right, Langley drama students are very excited about performing a short childrens play at the Disney National Performing Arts Festival on Presidents Day Weekend.
We have many other exciting activities planned for Langley’s Saxon Stage 2006-2007.
Our fall play is an outrageous farce called, “Hotel Paradiso.” Many of you may not have heard of it, but this is a production not to be missed. We have set the play in San Francisco, 1970, filled it with hippies, hideaways, a psychedelic hotel, philandering couples, slamming doors, and slapstick comedy. “Hotel Paradiso” is very much in the spirit of “Noises Off” and is sure to be a laugh out-loud evening of fun.
We have many other Saxon Stage events in the works. Also in November, Drama students will head to Richmond for the Virginia Theatre Association conference to perform the play, “Emotional Baggage.” A unique play without dialogue that challenges the actor and the audience. We also performed the play Nov. 2, for the Langley community.
This winter, our advanced students will present an evening of short plays for the community. The students are rehearsing comedies and dramas that will also be performed during the school day.
One of the most popular activities for our Drama 2 students will be Langley’s annual Childrens Theatre Tour to local elementaries. The students will write, design their costumes and make-up for the plays. In Drama 1, the students are currently recording radio mystery shows on CDs that will be given to hospitals and senior citizen homes for their listening pleasure.
The department’s main ongoing activity is our Improv Club. Open to the entire school, it meets every Monday after school. We have a huge group that turns up for the fun de-stresser and to practice for competition. We performed at the freestyle competition in October at Robinson High School.
We will begin 2007 with our annual trip to New York City. The trip includes two Broadway shows, acting and production seminars with professionals, and backstage tours.
The spring will bring our main stage production, TBA, in March. Our student directed short play festival will follow in April. New this year is a series of workshops open to the school and community coordinated by our Thespian troupe. Details will be in the Langley Leader.
There is never a dull moment here at Langley Theatre. We have a great group of students who have made a commitment to theatre and in return give so much to the school and community. We hope that you will take advantage of their talent and turn out for our shows.