Ten years later Eaton Theatre revisiting where it all began
Ten years later Eaton Theatre revisiting where it all began
In January 2016, the Eaton High School Theatre program produced its inaugural musical production when Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang hit the stage for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised).
Now, as the program celebrates a decade of musical theatre, it feels only fitting to revisit this beloved story and share it with a fresh, new audience. Through the years, Eaton’s productions have been a testament to the creativity, dedication, and passion of its students, and now they hope this performance continues that tradition.
When Nick Kougias, Artistic Director for Eaton High School Theatre, began thinking about the program’s production line up this season, he immediately gravitated toward this unique idea.
“Part of what we wanted to do in bringing this back was bringing back something that was nostalgic for the campus,” said Mr. Kougias. “But, also something that you could look at and see how much we have improved as a musical theatre campus.”
When Eaton first opened its doors to students in 2015, it opened to just freshmen and sophomores. Also, Mr. Kougias came to Eaton from Northwest High School that year, as did Paul Elder, Eaton’s Director of Bands and conductor of the annual musical production.
Ten years later, both educators have seen their programs grow exponentially, both in size and quality.
“The school was completely freshmen and sophomores then, and their knowledge of scenic design, lighting design, costumes, hair, makeup, props, choreography, was completely different than it is today,” Mr. Kougias explained. “Now, their skill set is completely different, and they're learning it in a completely different way than they did 10 years ago.”
When Eaton opened, a total of four theatre courses were offered, and the January performance of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised) was the first show ever performed on the school’s stage.
Now, NISD students have the opportunity to enroll in entire four-year sequences of courses in theatre arts, technical theatre, theatre production, plus a course specifically designed for musical theatre. Those expanded academic opportunities have led to the program now producing numerous shows each year, including an annual musical that brings together students from across the campus, not just from theatre classes.
The growth of the program could have posed a potential issue for Mr. Kougias. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised) has a much smaller cast compared to Eaton’s past musicals, which means fewer opportunities for large roles.
However, Mr. Kougias was confident his students would be excited for the show and its significance in the history of their school. He has worked hard to create a culture within the program in which there is no hierarchy system that can typically creep its way into a theatre production. Eaton students consistently show their enthusiasm to be a part of one larger ensemble and company.
One student in particular has an extra special connection to the show and its original cast. Pluto Jones, a current senior, remembers 10 years ago when his older brother, Clark, a freshman at the time, played Schroeder in the original production. Pluto is part of this year’s ensemble as Pigpen.
“Getting able to be in almost the exact same situation that my brother was in nearly 10 years ago is a really cool thing,” Pluto said. “With him playing his part as a freshman and me as a senior is something very interesting, and it's just been an amazing experience.
“I’ve been able to talk with him about it and compare how his experience differentiated. Seeing how his version of the show was directed and played differently to how I'm doing it and how Mr. K is doing it now is a really interesting thing to see.”
Clark is now a professional actor that lives in Colorado and is one of many successful Eaton alumni who passed through the theatre program. However, to Mr. Kougias, the success of his program isn’t measured in awards and accolades.
“Whether they go on and become Tony Award winners is not my job,” Mr. Kougias explained. “My job as an educator is to provide them with a space that's safe where they can be themselves, have fun and produce something that is, for an hour and 45 minutes, going to entertain 600 to 800 people a night.”
From the students that make up the orchestra, to the production and design team, to the dancers on stage as Linus performs “My Blanket & Me,” the passion that each student involved in the show has for their craft will be apparent.
So, grab your tickets and get ready to see 10 years of Eaton Theatre excellence on full display.
