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Teachers and students are working to revitalize the theater program at Ashbrook High School

First-year Ashbrook High School teachers Marcia Franklin and Breanna Suarez came into their job with one main goal: To see a resurgence in the school’s once-booming theater program. Suarez, a brand new teacher, and Franklin, an actress and teacher from Maryland, have teamed up this year and are excited to see their students taking on the challenge of learning about theater.

Last fall, students presented the play, “Puffs,” and for some of them, it was their first theater performance ever.  Now, the teachers and students are focusing on “The SpongeBob Musical” as their spring show in April.

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to rebuild a program,” Franklin said. “We really are starting from scratch. When I was the age of the students we’re working with now, I had older kids leading the way for me to learn from them. That’s not the case for our students; we’re all learning together.”

Suarez and Franklin said that students started out the year learning the basics: stage directions and how to block a show, how to read a script, and how to break down the characters. All lessons were put to the test in November when they did a two-show production of “Puffs,” a parody based off of the popular “Harry Potter” series. 

“We went into ‘Puffs’ not knowing what to expect, and now that’s done, we’re going into ‘SpongeBob,’” Suarez said.  “We chose ‘SpongeBob’ because it’s just really fun and interesting vocally.”

The most exciting part of revitalizing the theater program is building a stronger sense of community for Ashbrook around the fine arts.  They’re getting students involved by starting an Instagram account where they keep other students updated on show progress and auditions. They even did a big reveal when they announced ‘SpongeBob.’

“We chose ‘Puffs’ and ‘SpongeBob’ this year as shows that have name recognition because we want people to get excited about theater and to come out and support our students,” Franklin said. “It’s really important to give those who wouldn’t normally come through the doors at Ashbrook a chance to come in and see what we’re doing here.”

Along with learning how to be in a play or musical, Suarez says she’s most proud of the arts-related lessons that her students are learning, such as public speaking, building confidence, and the importance of projection and diction.  

“We’re training them on how to be an artist and about the commitment that it takes,” she says. “You have to communicate and commit to being at rehearsals and sharing your time. That’s in the real world, too. Yes, singing and dancing are fun, but it’s also real-life skills that they’re learning.”

As for advice that Suarez and Franklin have for students who might be interested in a career in theater, Suarez suggests that they should just try it out. 

“There are a lot of avenues where you can be successful,” she said. “There are so many other things to do than just be on stage. That’s important to remember.”

“Just dive in if you have an interest in theater,” Franklin advises. “In sixth grade, my teacher played the overture to ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ and it changed my world. If you find something you like, listen to it, explore it, and research it. The most important thing to remember about theater is that everyone is welcome, everyone belongs here, and there is a place for you on stage or behind the scenes.”