Aliso Niguel High School held its annual Broadway Night on Feb. 2, 2024 in the theater. Parents, teachers and students enjoyed watching theater students perform numbers from various stage musicals.
Mia Perez (12) says, “Broadway Night is a cabaret or talent show of sorts where theater students have the chance to audition and perform numbers! We also previewed scenes from our upcoming Actor’s Repertory shows ‘Failure: A Love Story’ and ‘Almost, Maine.’ We also feature a number from our kids’ Winter Theatre Camp, as well as a number from our upcoming spring musical, ‘Big Fish.’”
The Aliso Niguel Theatre Company showcases theater students’ talent and immense passion for the art by having an open space for students to perform and feel the support of the school community.
Neka Jazaeri (10) says, “I performed in the staff number with all the theater staff and I also performed ‘Fine’ from Ordinary Days as a duet with one of my friends. My favorite part was being able to be with everyone and listen to everyone sing and be there to support them.”
Ordinary Days tells the story of four young New Yorkers whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, happiness, love and cabs. The characters explore how their ordinary lives connect in the most amazing ways. This relates to the feeling students have on campus and the sense of community and belonging they sense with fellow peers.
Neka Jazaeri (10) says, “we had auditions in December but many people started practicing in preparation for the auditions a few months before. Our Resident Stage Manager, Talar Keshishian, is able to sit in the auditions and chooses with the help of Mr. Golden, the drama teacher, who will be in.”
Auditions are a necessary evil to ensure the success of a production. Most people feel very nervous about them, but students are reassured that there is nothing to be nervous about and being well-prepared can also help ease those anxieties.
Mia Perez (12) says, “Our Broadway Night is organized and stage managed by our lovely ANTC staff’s Resident Stage Manager, Talar Keshishian. Sign ups to audition were put up in the arts hallway, and students organized their own numbers to audition for a slot in the show.”
Auditions provide important information about how a student will perform. Lots of preparation goes into Broadway Night and it couldn’t be done with a large team of dedicated students and adults.
Mia Perez (12) adds, “The money from Broadway Night mostly goes toward maintaining our theater as well as paying for the rights to our shows.”
Students as well as parents and local community members are encouraged to support events such as Broadway Night not only to encourage students to continue doing what they love, but also help fund future activities.
Currently, ANTC has three more shows underway, with their Actor’s Repertory shows coming up at the end of February and “Big Fish” at the end of April. Tickets are currently on sale for both Actor’s Rep shows, “Failure: A Love Story” and “Almost, Maine” on the Aliso Niguel Theatre Company’s website.
Aliso Niguel fosters the passions of theater students and audiences are also not disappointed; Broadway Night was a success!
