Trustees praise 'Anastasia' production, discuss creating a separate high‑school drama program

Board members praised the district—s musical production of Anastasia and discussed whether the district should add a separate drama program to provide theatrical opportunities beyond musicals.

Trustees said the recent district production showcased a wide range of student roles — onstage, backstage, lights and props — and noted the educational value of those experiences. Several board members urged parents to encourage students to enroll in elective courses such as art, music and media, which can spark career interests.

Discussion about a drama program Some trustees suggested creating a dedicated drama production (non‑musical) to give seniors and aspiring actors a chance to perform in straight plays, citing past students who benefited from high‑school drama experience. Trustees acknowledged that current drama efforts have relied heavily on fundraising: speakers said the drama club has purchased expensive equipment from fundraising dollars and received seed money during district mergers and occasional private donations.

A board member described past support for the drama program, including a $2,000 donation to print Playbills and a parent‑organized 501(c)(3) that supports drama efforts. Trustees asked Principal Capag to take notes and share the suggestion with appropriate staff; the chief operations and athletic staff indicated they would explore possible funding and program structure.

Provenance: The remarks begin when trustees offered congratulations to students and staff for the recent Music Educators Association and the district musical, and continue through trustees— suggestions about electives, seed funding and the parent nonprofit that supports drama.

Ending: Trustees encouraged community attendance at the upcoming musical performances and asked staff to explore options for a separate drama offering so the district can consider next steps.