Summer school begins Monday, July 8
The Albany High School Theatre Ensemble will tackle issues of race and privilege in its production of the musical Hairspray.
Performances will be held in the Albany High auditorium 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15 through Saturday, March 17, with a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, March 18. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $15 for adults.
Theatre Ensemble volunteers will sell concessions during all shows. Donations of baked goods, snacks or bottled water are welcome and can be dropped off at the concession table in the hallway. If you’re donating home-made goodies, please list the ingredients.
Set in Baltimore in 1962, Hairspray features Tracy Turnblad, an outspoken and overweight white teenager who lands in detention for skipping school and wearing too much hairspray. In detention, she becomes fast friends with Seaweed Stubs, an African-American teen.
“Hairspray has reached rock-star status in the musical theater canon, largely revered for its dependable belly laughs and frolicking dance numbers. Ultimately, though, it is a timely tale about race relations in America, and the story isn’t all that funny at its core,” said Ward Dales, Theatre Ensemble Director.
Dales said he’s proud that students involved in the production have embraced the deeper themes of the show.
“In taking on this work, we’ve come to realize more clearly that the only way we can work toward a more equitable world is to find the courage to examine our own complicities, no matter how subtle, in maintaining the status quo,” he said.
Hairspray is directed by Dales and Gregory Theodore Marsh.
Cast members include:
- Tracy – Annabelle Duffy, junior
- Edna (Tracy’s mother) – John Sawyer, Albany High science teacher
- Wilbur – Larry Bizzarro, Albany High science teacher
- Corny Collins – Sam Bromirski, junior
- Penny/Council friend – Aviva Schwartz, sophomore (Thursday and Saturday); Alexis Flynn, senior (Friday and Sunday)
- Velma – Sophia Gaffney, senior
- Amber – Alexandra Sipos, senior
- Link – Etan Kazyiev, senior
- Seaweed – Jah’Leem Rivera, sophomoreLittle Inez – Esmerelda Jones, sophomore
- Motormouth Maybelle – Jessica Bebo, Albany High secretaryPrudy/Matron/Gym teacher – Anneka Knoll, senior
- ... and many more!
The mission of the City School District of Albany is to work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. The district serves about 9,600 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.
