In celebration of this month’s topic for The Lamp, it’s an honor to introduce you to Hunterdon Central’s fine arts. Central’s theatrical arts are a place of expression, positivity, and inclusion. Whoever you are and whatever you’re interested in, there is something for you to do, and a place for you, no matter who you are. The best way to look at it is to picture a world on stage and backstage. Backstage, you can meet the Crew. There are many different jobs that they have to offer. Students of Hunterdon Central create and design the set for every show entirely. They paint intricate designs and use paint rollers to cover our set with passion. People who hold drills and nails put together our sets to make the stage come to life. People with headsets on, giving directions on how to move props and set pieces in as little time as possible to keep the show running smoothly. The technical people who work with everything audio-wise and make sure that everyone on stage can be heard loud and clear. The students in the booth who work with audio, stage lights, and spot lights. Focusing hard so that they turn each light according to plan. Then there is our Stage Manager, who takes charge of our crew to make sure everyone is acting accordingly, Senior Kayla Finelli. She works hard every production to ensure our shows and showcases are top-notch. We also have our well-loved staff member who oversees our Crew, working so hard to make students’ dreams come true, Mr. Klein, or as we call him, TK. The crew may not be seen as much in the public eye, but it is important to remember that they are just as vital to the program as anyone else. Without them, the stage would be empty and dark, literally.
Moving on, it’s vital to introduce our cast. Central puts on many productions throughout the year. There are two plays, entirely made out of dialogue, a musical, a show with a base of songs, a children’s play, where students visit elementary schools to put on a children’s show, and showcases. The cast works hard every rehearsal, spending hours on end prepping for every performance. They dance, sing, act, and more. The passion that fuels these students can be sensed from miles away, everyone works so hard to make every show shine. It is worth mentioning the National Thespian Honors Society, with how much they accomplish throughout a year’s span. This year, President Kaci Schengrund, Vice President Callie Aversano, Secretary Molly Briggs, Treasurer Blakely Nieva, and, of course, the “Mother of Theater,” Mrs. Enterline, took on the responsibility of running the society with passion and strength. They put on numerous separate productions, besides the mainstage productions mentioned earlier. Some key events passed include “Rock Around the Clock” a 50s and 60s themed event, “Miscast” the event where you can perform as anyone you want, even if it doesn’t match your “type cast”, and Lip Sync, an event full of plot twists, costumes, and fun. Their season is not over! Soon they will showcase their “Competition Showcase,” debuting their wins from the STANJ competition and Bucks County Playhouse Competition, where students from the society took back wins, as well as the “End of the Year Showcase” where students perform whatever their hearts desire to close out the year.
As you can see, Central’s Fine Arts, both on stage and behind the scenes, are bursting with creativity, dedication, and heart. Every student involved plays a unique and vital role in bringing our stories to life, whether they’re under the spotlight or calling cues in the wings. It’s not just about putting on a show, it’s about building a community where everyone has a voice, a purpose, and a place to shine. So the next time the curtain rises, remember that what you’re witnessing is the result of countless hours of hard work, talent, and teamwork. Let’s continue to support and celebrate the magic that happens here, because at Central, the arts aren’t just an activity, they’re a home.
