Rising Curtain, Rising Confidence: How Student Theatre Builds Life Skills

Students also practice self-expression and self-connection. They build empathy and can run a show as their own school-based enterprise. At Coconino High School, a talented, motivated group of students led last spring’s production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” the school’s first in years. Like representatives for their own small theatre company, they determined their club-fund expenditures and budget, division of labor and recruited volunteers to build sets, sell tickets and print flyers. They also turned a profit.

And this is just one local school production. Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy (FALA), BASIS Flagstaff, Northland Preparatory Academy, Pine Forest School and Mountain School all put on annual performances. Numerous shows are produced by Stargazer Collaborative, Flagstaff Youth Theatre, Alpine Youth Theater and FAME, among others.

Theatrikos Theatre Company Education Director Joe Maniglia has seen first-hand how the Flagstaff community cultivates artistic and professional growth through supportive — not competitive — business.

“In 2019, a sewage flood closed down our theatre in the middle of getting ready to do our production of ‘Newsies,’” said Maniglia. “Flagstaff High School offered us a space to perform and Flagstaff Music Theater let us borrow costumes we needed.”

The Babbitt Brothers Foundation even loaned them an antique printing press, which local firefighters helped move in and out of the theatre. “We often come together to help each other out through sharing, borrowed equipment, costumes and insights,” Maniglia said.

After fielding some 40 students at their annual TheatriKids summer camp while putting another 40 onstage performing, “Shrek,” Theatrikos is producing “The Hardy Girls,” by Sarah Ryan of Flagstaff, in the fall and “The Man Who Saved Christmas” for the holidays. The company continues to put young people onstage who may one day turn pro.

Drama teacher Emily Murray assisted on “Legally Blonde, “Mama Mia” and “Footloose” at Flagstaff High School before directing her most ambitious show yet, “Chicago,” which added a whole choir to the ensemble.

“There were at least 40 cast members, another 12 in tech,” Murray says. “Students worked in construction and helped build staircases. We had a Momentum Aerial student who was relentless about bringing her skills to the show. That required some insurance sign offs,” she said. 

“We borrowed scaffolding, a student made treats from her baking company, we paid local musicians to play live with students — these things bridge the gaps between students and professionals. We don’t have much funding, so we need professional volunteers and community outreach,” Murray says. “It ​​brings a level of professionalism to kids who want to go on in performing arts.”

Murray plans to help students build resumes this year, as well as produce “Almost Maine,” in December.

Sedona International Film Festival Executive Director Patrick Schweiss takes another approach. Instead of staging plays with young people, SIFF launched the Sedona Professional Theatre Company to put equity actors and directors in plays at schools and screening theatres.

Last year, the Sedona Professional Theatre Company produced “What the Constitution Means to Me,” an audience-participation debate, at Verde Valley School, Mingus Union High School and FALA. The organization also brought the award-winning one-man “Every Brilliant Thing” to Flagstaff.

Touching on mental health, suicide and what makes life worth living, “These are important shows to take to schools,” Schweiss said. “Afterward, there was a line of kids wanting to see actor Michael Doherty, who opened their hearts and stories. Getting kids to see the power of this is why we do what we do.” 

Such efforts build lifelong arts appreciation, bring professional theatre to the region and attract an audience. Next year’s season is up to six shows and the theatre company is deciding which will play at schools, thanks to Doug and Renee Leuthold and Chuck Marr who donated $50,000. “They believe in what we’re doing. When they heard we were taking it to the schools, they were in,” Schweiss said.

Theatre experience may also show young people what’s possible. “I’ve seen kids, who on the outside are shy, reserved and quiet, find a voice and a place to express it in a way that maybe they’d struggled with before,” Maniglia said. “I’ve watched kids perform pieces that moved me as a human being — I could learn something about the human condition portrayed beautifully by another human.”

By Billy Miller, FBN

Billy Miller teaches theatre at Coconino High School. 

Photo by Billy Miller: Roxie Takes Center Stage in Flagstaff High School’s production of “Chicago”.