Students shine on summer stage
Moana played by Parker Coyne in the scene “Song of the Ancestors.”
The American Academy Performing Arts Program (AAPA) made up of the three American Academy campuses lit up The Schoolhouse Theater in downtown Parker this summer with three spectacular performances.
AAPA adapted Disney’s Moana JR.: The Voyagers, directed by Olivia Andrunik, Jordon Stifle and Jared Engerman, and featured elementary students from the Castle Pines campus. Moana JR.: The Wayfinders, directed by Zoe Kinner and Cindi Newman, showcased students from the Lincoln Meadows and Motsenbocker campuses in another fun-filled island journey. In July, middle schoolers from all three campuses wrapped up the season with a spooky and hilarious performance of Beetlejuice JR., directed by Elizabeth Ericson, Matt Murphy and Alec Porter.
“In just eight short rehearsals these littles learned lines, blocking, choreography, music, and even a whole new language,” shared Olivia who is a 4th grade teacher at the Castle Pines campus. “The process of putting on a show is no small feat, and they embraced every challenge with so much excitement and heart; they worked so hard, grew as performers every day and we had the best time along the way.”
From tropical islands to the afterlife, these young performers brought their creativity and talent to the stage, making the AAPA summer season one to remember.
Motsenbocker campus student Cat Murphy as Lydia, a teenage goth girl who can see and communicate with ghosts and Beetlejuice played by Sloan Perry Lincoln Meadow campus student.
The cast of Moana JR.: The Voyagers played by American Academy – Castle Pines elementary students.
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Jason Wilcox
