RENT

Aiming high in my mind is certainly a lot better than having lower expectations and learning this at a young age definitely has its benefits. We attended the last performance of our 2 bonus grandchildren's high school musical RENT where both the music and drama directors, Peter Engh and Julee Caspers Agar spoke of pushing their student performers to do more, to try different things. 

Certainly the choice of this modern 80's musical based on Puccini's Opera La Boheme in the small town as Westby, Wisconsin where the student cast was over 50 participants is a super big undertaking and quite an accomplishment tackling plays like RENT and last year's Les Mis even as school editions. 

Besides the obvious theater lessons of memorization of script/ music/choreography, work ethic, team building, set design, lighting, sound, etc... both these plays had many teachable moments with their content.  It was brave and risky to bring this controversial New York city story of RENT with themes of AIDS, drugs, homosexuality and homelessness to this very Lutheran, small farm community. 


Kudos for using this production also as a teachable moment to the audience. Before each performance a different social service organization spoke regarding the work they do in the community. For our matinee a Coulee Cap representative shared her organization's poverty work which covers 4 counties to those in need of housing, food, transportation and various other support groups such as drug addiction and physical abuse. As statistics were mentioned the elderly lady next to me gasped at the growing numbers such as 1700 receiving aid this past year with a homelessness rate of 40%. In fact, 7 of those homeless were Westby high school students. Poverty issues don't just exist in big cities but are growing and ever present in our small farm towns. 

Anyhow, the high school cast did an amazing job with a tough play thanks to their directors. It so happens this will be the last performance in the high school gym on metal folding chairs and wooden bleachers as a referendum has enabled a performing arts center to be built with a January 2018 completion date. Being able to lower the boom for lighting and an up to date sound system will enhance all future performances for a school district with a strong theater program.

Every two years there is a school trip to the big Apple to experience Broadway in person. I imagine a lot of fundraising will ensue for this endeavor. What's better than investing in the love of theater?

Cameron, a junior

Haley,(middle), a sophomore

To our family high school thespians, we wish you many opportunities to enjoy theater. Congrats to a job well done, Cameron and Haley and to the rest of RENT's cast. 

Caught our 2 thespians during intermission