That’s what makes it all worth it.“On the hockey side, he made people around him better,” Panthers chief executive Omar Pacha said. Taking them on theater trips is like opening them up to a world they didn’t have access to or a place in before. “I don’t have kids, so they are like my surrogate kids in a way, and I really love sharing live theater with them. “To me, it’s about the relationships that are formed with the students and how that goes beyond high school as a mentor and confidante,” Flaherty said. Everyone has a purpose, so they don’t just feel like extras in a scene.”įor Flaherty, “The Lightning Thief” reaffirms why she was meant to be a teacher. We were able to find meaningful spaces and characters for the students to show their talents. “I am the most proud of making this show bigger than it was, which was only seven people in the original cast. “Plus, our lighting team is doing an amazing job bringing the show to life with flashing lights and crazy spotlights,” Flaherty said. “The students are bonding so much more than what you would see when there are 70 or so students in a production like ‘Grease’ or ‘High School Musical.’”įor the show, the stage is minimal, but costume supervisor Cynthia Fiori took on the fun challenge with over-the-top costumes for the oracle, the minotaur and other special effects costumes. “I think it’s a post-COVID thing because event the sports teams are smaller, but there’s a positive out of it,” Flaherty said. “The Lightning Thief” cast of 30 is much smaller than past productions, but Flaherty is enjoying the camaraderie the students are experiencing. I was surprised how many students were into Greek mythology.” “Others who aren’t that involved in theater had to learn about it, but now that they are part of it really like it. “The theater kids knew what this was and were very excited to do it,” Flaherty said. Sounds like a fun show for high schoolers. Along the way, he meets a Greek demon of Hades, a Greek goat-like protector, a minotaur, Dionysus, an immortal centaur and Medusa, as well as musical legends James Brown, Kurt Cobain and even Mozart. Based on the 2005 novel, the musical follows a 12-year-old Percy Jackson (Evan Vistoso), a boy with ADHD and dyslexia who discovers he is a demigod and goes on a quest to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt to prevent a war between the Greek gods. The former off-Broadway show certainly is. I also like the idea of them playing teenagers and going through the teenage journey with these characters. No one has really done ‘The Lightning Thief’ in this area recently, and I think the music fits the voices and talent we currently have. “I also like contemporary shows and doing things that are not very popular. “I gravitate toward shows with a lot of dancing and a variety of styles of dancing,” Flaherty said. Nottingham High School students performing The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical on Monday, February 27, 2023.įlaherty, a Nottingham alum and 17-year English and Drama teacher who received her Master’s Degree in Theater in Scotland in 2018, has been involved in the program since 2006, first starting as a choreographer utilizing her lifetime of dance experience and then eventually taking over as director. We give our students and school something to be proud of and provide them with entertainment, an escape, a night out, a lesson and an opportunity to experience high-quality live theatre.” “Our students leave our program as better humans having been engaged in a collaborative effort that unites our school and the surrounding community. “Overall, our goal is to put on a professional show, but more importantly foster growth in our students - not just in their talent, but growth in confidence, responsibility, creativity, personal advocacy and a sense of self,” said Director/Choreographer Lauren Flaherty. Nottingham has produced an Emmy winner, two students in touring companies for “Hamilton,” a lead performer for Carnival Cruise Line, a contestant on this season’s “American Idol” - 2018 grad Jayla Difiori - and a former student currently touring the young adult adaptation of “The Lightning Thief,” which is fitting considering that the mythical Percy Jackson musical is Nottingham’s spring show. The Mercer County school has done an amazing job helping launch students’ futures in the arts.
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