Each year the Spectrum theatre department puts on a fall play, and just a few weeks ago they performed their production of Pride and Prejudice. This production features a brand new parent night and alumni night. The parent night honors students’ parents that have supported the theatre department. The alumni night was dedicated to past Spectrum theatre actresses, actors, and crew that have created what the theatre department is today.
Mr. De Haan, Spectrum’s theatre director, said, “Well first off it was Lyla Glinseks idea, I just said yep sounds great lets do it. But I think the whole idea behind that was to honor the people who really set us up to succeed.”
Lyla Glinsek had many inspirations for these nights and new additions.
Lyla Glinsek, theatre head chair, said, “After seeing other people’s productions and other peoples programs at different schools, I felt we could give more contribution and more appreciation to the people who made our program what it is.”
There are several things that students did to show appreciation for their parents.
De Haan said, “On the parent show the students went down to their parents with letters thanking them for all that they do in their life.”
Glinsek explained the importance of dedicating a performance to parents.
Glinsek said, “Our parents really made us, made this happen, made it possible for us to be able to put on this production and come to theatre everyday.”
Along with sharing why she thought it was important to create a parent night, Glinsek explained the importance of alumni night.
“The alumni night was really because I feel that the alumni that have come before me have really been the foundation and they have really shaped our program in really positive ways,” said Glinsek, “It’s really cool to be able to give them the opportunity to come back and feel welcome and also feel like they are special and made a big impact on our program even if they feel like it wasn’t as big of an impact as they might think.”
De Haan said, “The alumni were asked to stand to recognize who they are and what they have done for us. We also recognized Ms. Tyler for her work in establishing the theater, the theatre department that I inherited from her.”
The new dedicated nights were a great chance for the theatre department to recognize and appreciate those who support and contribute to the department. Those in theatre received an opportunity to say thank you to the people who support them.