Trenton Central High School’s (TCHS) new state of the art auditorium will host its first play titled The Wiz on March 27th and 28th following the schools $155.4 million dollar rebuild.
In the completely redesigned auditorium (which can comfortably seat 1,000 individuals), this play will hopefully captivate its audience as staff believe the turn out will be extremely high.
The Wiz is a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts involving students and teachers across all the five academies at TCHS. The team of teachers at The Visual & Performing Arts Academy are professional performing artists, engaged fully in facilitating this production. They are supported by a team of volunteers from across the school and by the TCHS’s community partners including McCarter Theatre and Princeton University.
The basic interpretation for this production is to weave in cultural symbols that are still recognized today while bringing forth a story with a powerful message: “We need to believe in ourselves to truly be free.” In this musical, people are repeatedly trapped by their own limitations or the restraints placed on them by others. Freedom comes as Dorothy encounters the lives of people in Oz and takes a stand for herself and for others, encouraging them to do likewise.
Vice Principal Tilottama Bose said in an e-mail interview that “Our goal is to engage the community in the Arts and to pave the way for creative collaboration as a pathway to academic excellence”. Tilottama believes that the arts play a fundamental role in the successful development of Trenton’s high school students, whether it be music, theatre, painting or any other form of artistic expression.
The school musical is being directed by Ms. Felicia Brown. The other teachers include Mr. Pucciatti (Orchestra Director), Mr. Taylor (Vocal Director) and Ms. Zwierzynski (Choreographer). The VPA teacher leader, Mr. Seabert is facilitating set construction and technology. Through the combined effort of both staff and students, the musical rendition of the Wizard of Oz should surely be something to remember.
For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.onthestage.com/show/trenton-central-high-school/the-wiz-93097/about
