Important Information about our upcoming production of Disney's The Lion King.

Due to the inclement weather and for the safety of our performers and patrons, we have decided to close school on Friday, November 16, 2018; thus canceling the evening performance of Disney's The Lion King at the Honesdale High School Performing Arts Center. The Friday Evening performance will now be held on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 2:00 PM. All Friday evening tickets will be accepted on Sunday at the performance. (Friday tickets will NOT need to be exchanged, as our computer systems will automatically accept Friday tickets on Sunday.) If you cannot make the performance on Sunday, you may exchange your tickets to Saturday's performance (November 17, 2018 at 7:00 PM), or we will issue a refund on your ticket order. Please call our box office at 570-251-9831 for assistance in exchanging or having your tickets refunded. Our offices will be open by phone on Friday at 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

As drama educators, we obviously believe that the arts should be a crucial part of a student’s academic experience. Do a quick web search of “why study the arts?” and hundreds of articles in agreement with this will pop up! An arts education is extremely important and beneficial for students, as they will learn not only theatrical techniques but useful life skills as well. Here are just a few of the ways that studying drama can benefit students outside of the drama classroom.

It’s a creative outlet – and a challenging one at that.

Students need to learn a variety of means of expressing themselves and their thoughts and views on the world. What better way to learn this than through theatre? It challenges students to open their minds, to use their bodies and brains in different and exciting ways, to explore different worlds through scripts and scores and characters, and to tell a story in a variety of ways – through words, song, mime, tableau, puppetry, playwriting…the list goes on and on.

They’re learning a huge host of skills.

Many students who participate in drama class do not go on to become professional actors, designers, or technicians. But there are so many other important skills that they’re learning that can be used in their everyday lives, no matter what career they decide to pursue in the future. For example:

1. Reading and reciting from scripts increases their verbal and literacy skills.
2. Working with a director, musical director, and/or choreographer increases their listening skills.
3. Experiencing a variety of crew roles – such as stage manager, technical operator, or usher – provides practical job skills training that can be used in behind-the-scenes theatre careers or in the business side of theatre, or transferred to another type of career (being an organized stage manager can certainly transfer into being organized in a variety of jobs).
4. When students are practicing for an audition, they’re learning research and preparation skills, and learning how to take steps towards achieving a goal.
5. When they perform in front of their peers or an audience, they’re learning self-confidence and bravery.
6. When they are cast in a plum role, they’re learning how to accept their achievements with grace.
7. When they don’t get the part they want, they’re learning to deal with disappointment.
8. When they’re practicing their lines and rehearsing their choreography at home, they’re learning about the importance of giving their best effort and not letting their teammates down.
9. When they’re learning dance and stage combat moves, they’re practicing gross and fine motor skills, hand/eye coordination and muscle memory.
10. When they’re cast in a show with students they don’t know or don’t like, they’re learning how to deal with others and cultivate new relationships.
11. When they realize that they have a project due in another class the day before off-book day, they’re learning about time management.
12. When something goes wrong during a performance, they’re learning how to deal with the unexpected, how to stay cool in an emergency, how to roll with the punches and keep the show going on!

Friendship.

Taking a drama class or being involved in a school production creates incredibly strong bonds with others over a relatively short period of time. When students are working together with a group of like-minded people to create a cohesive piece of work, bonding is kind of inevitable! Some people don’t understand the long hours spent in the auditorium or in the drama classroom (“I can’t, I have rehearsal” is a common phrase uttered by drama students) and the many hours of work required outside of rehearsal. But a group of students who are all obsessed with the latest Broadway offering and randomly break into song and dance in the middle of the hallway? They get it, and they get each other.

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We are proud to support our students and honor the hard work they do in the performing arts. We invite you to support your local school community by making a donation. We depend on the generosity of the surrounding community to provide the best opportunities for our performing arts students and season. Our season is full of amazing productions!

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Honesdale High School Performing Arts Center, 459 Terrace Street, Honesdale PA 18431
Copyright © 1959- 2018. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks are of their respective owners.

Tel: (570) 251-9831
Fax: (570) 253-9256