Gig Harbor High students bring regional theater honors home; summer shows fund travel and tech upgrades

Students and supporters of the Gig Harbor High School theater program told the Peninsula School District board on July 15 that summer productions are raising funds, providing leadership opportunities, and supporting student travel to national conventions.

Martha Schultz, a student, said three Gig Harbor students — herself, Megan Long and Lucas Henriksen — attended the Thespie (state/national theater) convention after fundraising from a summer show. “We sent three kids to nationals this summer,” Schultz said, and reported the students earned high ranks at competition.

Megan Long, an incoming senior, described the program’s summer company model: two small-company summer shows that rehearse through the summer and raise money to subsidize travel to the Washington State Thespie Convention and related learning opportunities. Long said this year’s main summer musical is Hadestown and invited the community to attend the weekend-only run.

Caitlin McAllister outlined the program’s summer camps, which give high-school students leadership and production experience and provide theater training for younger students. She said last year’s camp profits were about $3,000 and the current summer show has already raised about $3,500; the program has reinvested earnings into auditorium technology and the theater’s technical capabilities. McAllister said students self-direct much of the summer program and earn volunteer hours and practical production experience.

Board members thanked the students and recognized that summer productions can both build skills and support program finances. The district’s support for extracurriculars and community partnerships was noted, and board members encouraged attendance at the shows and support for booster activities.