Eagle Valley and Battle Mountain High Schools Present Musical Productions

Snow-capped mountains give way to bustling high school auditoriums this weekend — the sound of laughter and music fills the air as local students take the stage. In Eagle, the smell of freshly painted sets and costumes wafts through the hallways of Eagle Valley High School, where students are gearing up to perform "Sister Act". Meanwhile, in Edwards, the Battle Mountain High School theater department is putting the final touches on their production of "Frozen".

Make no mistake, these productions are the result of months of hard work from the students involved. At Eagle Valley High School, theater director Mike Boeke says the students chose "Sister Act" for its upbeat music and humor — and the opportunity to create fun sets and costumes inspired by 1970s Detroit. The plot, familiar to those who saw the movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, follows a lounge singer who goes into witness protection at a convent and spreads her joy of music to the nuns' choir. With about 40 students involved in the cast, crew, and pit band, Boeke is impressed by the dedication and self-confidence that comes with putting on a show. "I believe theater teaches two very important life-long skills: self-confidence and dedication," he says.

The short version: these students have been rehearsing since January, and their hard work will pay off this weekend. But the story is different at Battle Mountain High School, where the theater department chose "Frozen" with a strategic goal in mind. According to English Language Arts teacher and theater director Caitie Almond, the department wanted a show that would attract young audience members and inspire them to participate in the school's theater and choir programs. With enrollment down in music classes and no longer able to offer a theater course, the department is hoping to spark interest in the arts. Almond emphasizes that the experience of putting on a show goes beyond just learning lines and choreography, it teaches vital skills like communication, collaboration, perseverance, and empathy.

As the students at Battle Mountain High School take the stage to perform "Frozen", they'll be doing so with a sense of purpose. There are about 47 cast and crew members involved in the production, and Almond is proud of what they've accomplished. "For me, the most vital lesson my students learn is the ability to express themselves through their art," she says. The community will have the opportunity to see the results of their hard work this weekend; and it's worth watching. The question is, will it be enough to inspire a new generation of students to get involved in the arts?

In a region where community support is crucial, it's heartening to see local high schools prioritizing the arts. The fact that these productions are happening at all is a clear indication of the dedication of the students and staff involved. As folks around here know, it's not always easy to keep the arts alive in rural areas - but it's clear that these schools are committed to making it work. Read that again: these students have been working towards this moment for months, and it's a chance for the community to come out and support them. What happens next will be worth watching. will the community turn out to support these productions, and will it be enough to make a difference in the long run? The community's response will have a lasting impact on the arts in this community.

The shows will go on, with "Sister Act" at the Eagle theater and "Frozen" at Battle Mountain High School. That's what the community will be talking about this weekend, the talent, the energy, and the sense of purpose that comes with supporting local arts. Make no mistake, this is a big deal for these students and their schools. The community's response will be telling; the outcome will have a lasting impact on the arts.