John Burroughs High School Drama and Improv Clubs, along with members of the Burroughs Choir, put on a night of song, dance and laughs at the Colony Theatre on Friday, October 17. The annual event, held for the first time at the Colony, raised funds towards the cost of the upcoming musical Legally Blonde.
Attended by several hundred parents, friends and supporters, the evening opened with a reception catered by Lisa Raluy’s class from Luther Burbank Middle School. The 90-minute show included improv games put on by members of the Burroughs Improv Club. Vocal performances of a variety of musical numbers were sung by principal members of the Legally Blonde cast.
“It was a wonderful evening!” commented Colony Theatre artistic director Barbara Beckley. “So much amazing talent. And, it was great to see how strong and comfortable they all were in front of an audience – professional and mature beyond their years.”
Burroughs drama teacher Guy Myers, along with choir director Brendan Jennings, oversaw the production.
“Our students chose their own material to perform, and our student led Improv Club chose and directed all of the improv games themselves,” explained Myers. “Working together, they planned out the intros and line-up, and together they created a special event that felt like a spontaneous night of fun.”
“With apologies for the sports analogy, it’s as if Guy were the football coach and had an entire team headed for the NFL,” Beckley added. “It’s so nice to know the theatre is in such good hands with the next generation.”
“This fundraiser was our highest attended fundraiser for musical theatre to date,” said Myers. “We were so thrilled to partner with the Colony and we think the new location added to the excitement of the event.”
“I think it’s very important to support the arts and especially those that are continuing arts education,” said Colony Theatre’s Katie Witkowski, who coordinated the event with the students and drama booster club.
“Our fundraiser met our goals to help offset the production costs of the musical, but as always, we are still actively seeking donations so we can continue to provide our students with a top notch education in the arts and also provide our school and community with dazzling productions,” Myers also said.
The Burroughs High School musical production averages an annual cost of $10,000 to $15,000 to present. That cost includes performance rights and royalties, costumes, hired musicians as needed and all other production materials, sets and props.
Community members, organizations and businesses who wish to donate to the JBHS musical may mail a check to the attention of Guy Myers/JBHS Musical Theatre, 1920 Clark Avenue, Burbank, CA 91506. More information on JBHS Drama’s plays and performances can be found on their website.
