During this school year, the ever-growing theater department is looking ahead to a strong and expansive season with varying performances. Students are highly anticipating the fall play, Puffs, which will be showing November 10th to the 12th. Puffs is a magical, comedic spin-off based on the spellbinding series, Harry Potter. Concord Theatrics depicts it as such: “This clever and inventive play ‘never goes more than a minute without a laugh,’ giving you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children.” Caleb Bickmore, a senior who plays Blondo Malfoy, The “Real” Mister Moody, and Zach Smith is acting in his first official play. “I’m very proud of my role and I love acting as Zach Smith’s character, he’s so fun. It’s basically improvisation, I get to do whatever I want for three minutes. It’s very ‘off the wall,’ I get to surprise people whenever I go up there,” Bickmore stated.
This school year is also the first year that Musical Theater is offered. It is taught by several coaches, including Mrs. Beverly Pruzina, our theater director. Musical Theater is a class that combines acting, singing, and dancing and will present two productions this year. Pruzina explains that, “Based on the size of our musical theater class, we are able to offer two full-length shows, as well as a showcase, whereas other schools cannot.” Zoe Carter, a sophomore taking the musical theater class mentioned, “Alice By Heart is my favorite musical, and I’m so excited to put this show on with my favorite people.”
Students involved in the theater program like regular theater classes, as well as musical theater are looking forward to the opportunities that are being presented this year. Junior Izzy Jewell is most excited for VTF, the Virginia Thespian Festival. “I won the 2nd Best Acting award last year and I’m excited to do it again,” Jewell exclaimed.
Students and residents can show support to the Grove Theatre by watching shows and looking out for updates, awards, and productions. More information is available on the Grove Theatre website.
