Art Show | written by: KATIE KOSLOW
Theatre 308 is Darien High School’s award-winning theater program. “308,” as it’s known, produces two mainstage productions each year including a fall drama and a spring musical, as well as a student-directed one-act festival and a cabaret.
With about 100 active members, 308 provides an opportunity for students to express themselves and explore their creativity through song, dance, acting, costuming, set construction, music, lighting, sound and more. Theatre 308 has been producing shows and entertaining audiences for over 50 years.
Theatre 308 is a respected performing arts program, which has produced well over 100 shows, won numerous Sondheim and Halo Awards and even has famous alumni such as Dan Micciche, the current Musical Director of Wicked on Broadway.
Bringing a show to life on stage involves 60 to 80 students, five to seven dedicated adults (director, choreographers, musical director, technical directors) and a team of parent volunteers.
Although the actors and actresses are the most visible people in a production, there are many important roles off stage including the stage crew (building sets, handling props, managing lights and sound), a costume team (envisioning, sewing and sourcing costumes), musicians and production team. It takes an entire group of talented individuals in different areas, working together, to put on a show. The camaraderie among the theater group is truly a special bond.
Each Theatre 308 production has its own unique element. Some examples include the performance of Something Rotten on an outdoor stage during the pandemic and the original musical score composed by a student for this year’s production of The Tempest.
308’s spring production of Disney’s Tony Award-winning musical Newsies incorporates several unique aspects, including a dance number on newspapers, and the addition of two middle school students to the cast to share the role of Les.
Newsies is based on the true story of the Newsboy Strike of 1899. When Joseph Pulitzer raises the price of newspapers sold by newsboys on the street, the newsies, led by Jack Kelly, band together and initiate a strike that spreads throughout New York City. Newsies is a heartwarming story of friendship, determination and love. This production promises energizing songs, show-stopping dance numbers, a live pit band and many other unique production elements.
When asked about the production, Director Tim Sorensen explained, “NEWSIES speaks to a generation of young people looking for a voice in the world. In the nearly 125 years since the actual Newsboy Strike, I feel a real honor to share their story and empower my own students to find ways to speak up for what they believe is right. And the best part is, our students get to share this message in the most powerful, energetic, and uplifting of ways … on a stage!”
Newsies is a show for all ages and not to be missed! For more information follow @theatre308 on Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook or check out the website: theatre308.org.
