The Brightest High School Theatres in the Country - Hudson High School
Chris Peterson
Every actor, director, designer, stage manager started somewhere. For many of us, it was in high school. Every year we see thousands upon thousands of future theatre professionals start their journeys on various high schools stage across the country.
So here at OnStage, every week, we want to honor high school theatre programs all over the country that are making the performing arts, a priority within their curriculum, not to mention putting on some fantastic productions.
If you know a high school in your area that is doing an incredible job of laying the foundation for future theatre professionals, let us know by emailing, cpeterson@onstageblog.com
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Hudson High School - Hudson, MA
This week we head up north to Hudson High School in Hudson, MA where students are putting on some incredible theatre just an hour outside of Boston.
Under the keen direction of Kathleen McKenzie, students at Hudson are not only performing high quality and challenging productions, they're also taking the right type of classes to prepare them for not only most BFA programs but to become theatre professionals as well.
One such class is History, Literature, and Performance. In this year long course, students will explore the history and transformation of theatre from its early years to today. During the two year rotation of this class, we will focus on Theatre and Musical Theatre. Students will learn how the historical events of the time affected the styles of the day and they will enhance their performing abilities by producing numerous scenes throughout the course. Students must work both independently and cooperatively in this performance based class.
The HHS Drama Society puts on eight (EIGHT) performances a year, including two musicals, a classical play, an 8th & 9th grade play, an improv show, an advanced theatre class play, a festival play and "The Competitive Plays," where every grade (7-12) does a short play and the older grades are judged on various aspects of their performances. At the end of year, the students all come together for a Drama Society Banquet.
What's also great to see is the variety of shows Hudson puts on. This year they'll be taking on the likes of Spamalot, The Children's Hour and Honk! (a personal favorite of mine).
Alumni of Hudson have gone off to some colleges with great theatre programs including, Emerson College, Hofstra University and SUNY Purchase.
From all of us at Onstage, best wishes to everyone at Hudson High School this year!