While the future of the theater department isn’t certain, I do know that this year was a record breaking year for the Kennebunk High School theater.
This year, we had our biggest and greatest musical that the theater has ever witnessed. It was our most extravagant show – both technically and musically – and highest grossing musical to date. We had an award winning one-act and a student director who defied all odds and roadblocks along the way, making Silent Sky the show to take us from last place to runner up in the one act competition. This ignited a fire within the department.
Our beloved theater director, Mr St Pierre, moved to Denmark in January, leaving our theater department in the hands of the students. Soon after, his possible replacement was found to be embezzling money from her previous school, leaving us leaderless. Finally, the district hired Mr LeDoux, a new director with a month and a half left of the school year. As a last hurrah we decided to put on an abridged, modern production of Romeo and Juliet. This year has proven that the theater department is resilient and even more powerful than we ever were before.
Even though this year was crazy to say the least, so have been the past four years. I have seen the highest of highs and lowest of lows in this theater. I’ve seen us make no money on a Shakespeare production and get lowkey canceled for doing Spamalot. However, I also saw us place at the one-act festival with an entirely student-run production, and we have fought to keep the department together. If being a part of the theater has taught me anything, it is the value of sticking together. Nothing would have been possible without the family we have created.
My favorite part of theater will always be the people. They are what made that place so special and made me want to come back every day. It’s where I found my best friends in the entire world, and we share a bond that no one will be able to match. I have spent more time in the theater during high school than I have spent in any other space within the school. It became more than just another room; it became my home. I have spent so many hours there, laughing, screaming, smiling, and crying. Every aspect of the last four years has revolved around theater, and it will always hold a special place in my heart and occupy a space in my mind.
Almost all of my favorite memories from high school take place within the theater. It’s where I was able to make my directing debut and find a passion for film that will follow me to college. It’s where I took my first high school class and will spend my last moments of my high school career. Throughout my time as a director, assistant stage manager, and actor, I have learned so much and made so many memories. I am going to miss the theater more than I will ever know. Every late-night tech week rehearsal and all the hours spent trying to make sure the show will go perfectly has led me to the moment when I have to take my final bow and let the curtain fall on my high school theater experience.
For the future Kennebunk High School thespians, who won’t know the insanity of Mr. St Pierre or the seniors who shaped the theater department over the past four years: I know you’ll step into a place filled with laughter and literal blood, sweat, and tears, but most importantly, love. Remember to always keep your sticks on the ice.
