Plymouth-Canton Educational Park - Performing Arts

Performing Arts

The theatrical side of the performing arts program at the park consists of two groups: The Park Players, based at Salem High School, and The Second Stage Players, based at Canton High School. Any student who attends PCEP can audition for shows produced by either group.

The performing arts program began with the formation of what is now the Park Players in 1970 by Gloria Logan, a drama teacher at Salem. The first three productions were staged at Central Middle School. The first production staged in Salem Auditorium was Fiddler on the Roof in 1971; as a tradition, a revival of Fiddler has been staged on the 10th and 20th anniversary years of the auditorium (1981 and 1991), while the most recent revival was staged in 2000, the 30th anniversary of the Park Players.

Both groups stage two fully produced, faculty-directed shows each school year. Each semester, there is usually one play and one musical.

Two years ago the Second Stage Players produced two musicals, both Little Shop of Horrors and Into the Woods. In the 09-10 school year, Second Stage Players produced two mainstage productions, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" in the fall, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) in the spring.

The Park Players have staged over 85 productions, including Neil Simon's "Proposals", "Footloose (musical)," "Hello, Dolly!," "Jekyll and Hyde," and "Smokey Joe's Cafe". During the 2009-2010 school year, the Park Players celebrated their 14th anniversary. They performed three stage productions: Noises Off as their fall play, Sweet Charity as their spring musical, and Check Please/Check Please: Take Two as an in-between production.

The Park also has a Spoken Word Club, an Improv Club and a Puppetry Club.

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Famous quotes related to performing arts:

    More than in any other performing arts the lack of respect for acting seems to spring from the fact that every layman considers himself a valid critic.
    Uta Hagen (b. 1919)