Somerville High students are putting ‘Pippin’ on social media

On February 1, 2018, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Over 40 students are participating in the Highland Theatre Company’s production of “Pippin.”

By Emily Blackwood

Highland Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Pippin will be unlike any production of Pippin anyone has ever seen – at least, theatre arts teacher Charles Jabour hopes so.

Directed by Jabour and put on by over 40 students of Somerville High School, the musical details the journey of a young prince searching for his own meaning and significance. Originally written in 1972, Highland Theatre Company is bringing it into the 21st century with the use of social media on stage.

The specifics, of course, are only accessible by those who purchase a ticket to one of their four performances.

Pippin is the first production put on by Highland Theatre Company, a student-run organization started by Jabour with the goal of getting more of the school involved in theatre.

“Theatre used to exist in different buckets within the school,” he said. “We’ve consolidated everything into one group so we can give more opportunities to students.”

Right now, Somerville High has one musical and one theatre show every school year and Jabour hopes to add more shows in the future. And though the students of Highland Theatre Company did not choose Pippin, Jabour also said he wants to have students be more involved in the selection of pieces performed.

Still, the students have taken on plenty of roles with Pippin. Everything from production to promoting to fundraising has been done by the students themselves.

“The main goal of the company is making sure other students aren’t neglected,” Jabour said. “If you don’t do musicals or the drama club, we still want to have something you can do. Like a social event or a field trip to see the play.”

“It’s an ambition that we want as many students as possible at Somerville High engaged in theatre.”

Pippin opens on February 8, 7:00 p.m., at Somerville High School’s auditorium, 81 Highland Ave. There are two more performances at that same time on February 9 and 10, and another performance at 2:00 p.m. on February 10.

Tickets are available online at www.shsma.booktix.com.

 

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