| Support 22-23 SASD Stage Productions - 2023 |
Amount Funded: $5,000.00 |
| SHS Fall Musical - 10/2023;
SHS Spring Plays (2) - 3/2024;
River Bluff Musical - 5/2024.
The Stoughton High School Choir and Theatre Programs took a beating during COVID. It lost existing students, future students, money, and audience attendance. Students were not excited about singing in a choir that met on Zoom. They also weren’t allowed to hold performances for an entire year. Even when the ban was finally lifted, audiences attendance was low as people felt uneasy attending events in crowds. That had compounding effects, as ticket sales support the program financially, but audience attendance also feeds future students into the program. Young kids come to shows and get inspired to participate in the performing arts themselves when they are in middle and high school. After COVID the theatre program ran a deficit the first time in the director’s 20+ years of service to the SASD.
It was a dark time, but it was also one of SHS Theatre’s finest moments. While other area schools didn’t hold shows or events that entire year, in 2020-21 our high school filmed and streamed three virtual shows. That gave students a desperately-needed artistic and social outlet, and a rare opportunity to perform in a unique format (video). Although we sold tickets to the streaming events, the sales didn’t come close to what an audience typically pulls in and did not cover the multitude of expenses associated with producing a show (or a movie!), thereby gobbling up the theatre nest egg, and putting the program in debt.
Ten thousand dollars would allow Choir Boosters to subsidize the three performances at the high school and the middle school’s Spring Musical. The Fall musical alone costs upwards of $8,000 to put on, between show rights, set, and costumes. The school continues to support the program, but due to the low funds in our account, productions will be bare bones until the account is replenished. Putting on high-quality shows is a point of pride in our district, and the better our shows look, the more attractive they are to future students. The theatre is a safe and accepting place that welcomes students of all walks. In my experience back stage as a costume volunteer, I can say with certainty that theatre saves young lives. It gives students an inclusive and accepting school home where they can express emotion and find kinship and joy. It also provides uplifting entertainment to the residents of Stoughton who attend the shows! |
| Choir Boosters of Stoughton Schools is asking for $10,000 of ARPA funds. Those funds will go directly towards the expenses (set building, costumes, orchestral backing tracks, and show rights) associated with putting on the live theatre productions at Stoughton High School and River Bluff Middle School during the 2023-24 school year. This will help 50-75 student actors, singers, dancers, and stage crew. And it will bring joy to hundreds of audience members.
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