CCSD Performing Arts Honor Program growing

Performing arts students across the Cherry Creek School District are wrapping up another successful year of concerts, musicals, plays, competitions, and other performances. At the same time, they are celebrating the growth of the district’s Performing Arts Honor Program, which recognizes excellence and gives students a valuable educational and collaborative opportunity.

“We create an experience for students in performing arts classes where they get to really show their stuff and be pushed at a higher level, to validate all the hard work they’re doing in the practice rooms and the private lessons and the late-night rehearsals,” explained Dr. Paul Cribari, Director of Electives for Cherry Creek Schools.

CCSD has long had an Honor Band and Honor Orchestra program for middle and high school students, as well as an Honor Choir program for middle school students. This year, high school students were also featured in the Honor Choir concert. More than 200 talented vocalists participated in the performance, which was held in early May at Eastern Hills Community Church to accommodate the large group.

Honor program students are selected through a rigorous audition process, then get to work with a guest clinician to expand their knowledge and hone their skills, before a public performance.

“It gives them the chance to play high quality literature. It gives them the chance to be in a rehearsal space where they’re being treated very much like professionals,” Dr. Cribari said.

This year, the district added Honor Theatre to the Honor Program repertoire. It was the brainchild of Eaglecrest High School theatre teacher Eric Eidson.

“We wanted theatre students to be recognized at a district level for their talent and for what they’re doing really well, and to have the chance to work with other teachers and a guest artist,” Eidson said.

On January 17 and 18, 80 student actors and technicians from middle and high schools across the district met at Eaglecrest. They had a day-and-a-half to prepare and perform six 10-minute plays, which was no small feat.

“It was very different and a little stressful at first because I’d never done anything like it and the timeline is very crunched,” said Eliza Way, an EHS senior and actor who plans to pursue a degree in musical theatre. She was a member of the cast of The Fifteen Minute Hamlet. “We were given our blocking the night before and so it all happened very quickly, but we were still able to put on amazing one acts.”

Way and the other Honor Theatre actors had to submit an audition video demonstrating their acting abilities. Honor Theatre technicians, which included writers, directors, stage managers, and students with expertise in make-up, costuming, sound, lighting, props, and set design, also had to submit an audition video.

“Technicians submitted a video interview where they were able to showcase a portfolio that gave us an idea of the types of work they were interested in and the level of work they had achieved,” said Andy Jaramillo, theater teacher at Fox Ridge Middle School and one of the Honor Theatre organizers.

One of those technicians was Fox Ridge eighth grader Sophia Rodriguez, who was the assistant stage manager for all six plays.

“I was really focused on making sure everyone had lines memorized, that props were being ordered, that stage managers knew what was going on, and just making sure everything was on track,” Rodriguez said.

Before their performances, the Honor Theatre students met Neyla Pekarek, a 2004 graduate of Overland High School, who is an accomplished vocalist, cellist, actor, and composer. As a member of the Lumineers, she earned a Grammy nomination and toured the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica. She’s now producing her own albums and stage shows. She talked with the students about her journey, answered their questions, and even performed for them.

Rodriguez and Way both found the Honor Theatre experience extremely valuable.

“It really built my experience in theatre. It taught me to be more professional,” Rodriguez said.

“It really helped my time management,” Way said. “In the professional world of theatre, speed is the norm, so it helped me realize that shows can be put on in under a day and the work you do outside of the show is really important.”

The district’s theatre teachers are already planning next year’s Honor Theatre event.

“I think that our students in this district are absolutely incredible,” Jaramillo said. “It’s a joy to get to see them shining on the stage in another capacity.”

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Performing Arts Honor Program this year!

Learn more about the Cherry Creek School District’s Performing Arts programs here.