The Theatre Arts program at High Tech HS has had one of the intense years yet. The students continue to undergo a rigorous program based on the professional model, and focus on classics, world theatre, modern plays, musicals, and improvisations. Our productions and classes offer students the opportunity to develop individual interest while gaining invaluable practical experience in acting, musical theatre, and stagecraft. The students start by learning both important aspects of the history of theatre and basic acting skills and are first assigned classical as well as contemporary monologues and scenes. This year, they took part in auditions for our three mainstage productions; they participated to in-person workshops with the Montclair State University, L’alliance, Jersey City Theatre Center, Mile Square Theatre Audition Method, AADA, and AMDA professionals, and they attended field trips at the Manhattan Theatre Club (Broadway), Papermill Playhouse, L’Alliance and Montclair State University . They also participated in competitions such as Teen Arts competition at NJCU, Stanj Governor’s Awards, Montclair State and Theatre Night Foxy Awards. This year, our program has continued offering a Dual Articulation agreement with Centenary University. The credits awarded apply to graduating seniors.
2025-2026 Performances:
December 11: Winter Highlights- All the students participated in the Holiday Showcase produced by the Arts Academy.
January 21--24: The Crucible, Black Box Theatre Performance
February 20: Improv Show- Friday Night Live Black Box performance, hosted by Alexa Rabago and Stefany Campos-Gomez.
April 23: Devised Performance with JCTC
June 3-4 Lost in Love, A Musical Revue- Black Box Theatre Performance- End of the Year Show
Field Trips, Workshops, Internships and Competitions:
Montclair State University: Workshops with various MSU professors and performance of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812
Jersey City Theatre Center: Workshops with Giselle Bellas, Rashad Wright, Ravin Patterson , Albert Rudnitsky, Amanda Lacson, and Mai Rojas.
Mile Square Theatre: Improvisation Workshops with Tariq Rashaan Davis
This program has been sponsored by a grant from the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners. Additional funds for this program come from the National Endowment for the Arts.
L’Alliance NYC- Dance workshop with Kimberly Bartosik; Performance: Euphrate with Nil Bosca, Workshop in Storytelling with Stanislas Roquette and Nil Bosca
Paper Mill Playhouse: Come from Away, West Side Story (Invited Dress Rehearsal)
Dance Workshops- African Dance Workshop with John Hines, and Musical Theatre Workshop with Megan Stepanski
Singing Workshops- Singing Technique Workshops with Valerie Gonzalez and Giselle Rojas
Stage Combat/ Stage Make-up Workshops- Workshops with Stephen Davies
Audition Method- Audition Method workshops with Geraldine Rojas
AADA: Acting Technique Workshops with Susan Pilar and Chip Killingsworth
AMDA: Song Audition Technique Workshops with J. Elaine Marcos
Master Class: Acting Master Class Talk back with Emmy Winner and The Sopranos star Michael Imperioli
Manhattan Theatre Club: workshops with Nilaja Sun- and Field trip trip see The Balusters on Broadway
Competitions:
The Governor’s Awards STANJ
Yariliza Tapia and Anthony Wenzel- Finalists in the Improvisational Pairs Competition
Teen Arts Competition:
Cast of The Crucible- Silver Medal for the Large Drama Ensemble
Jeyline Almonte, Alexa Rabago and Joonaia Duran- Gold Medal for Small Drama Ensemble
Yariliza Tapia, Joonaia Duran- Silver Medal Small Drama Ensemble
The Montclair State Foxy Awards Competition:
High Tech High School Theatre Arts Drama Department received 7 nominations
For Radium Girls:
Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actress: Jillian Vega as Grace
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor: Aidan Chapas as Von Sochocky
Outstanding Achievement by a Costume Designer for a Play: Elanie Benitez
For Rent, School Edition:
Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actor: Anthony Wenzel as Roger
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress: Jillian Vega as Maureen
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Actor: Joonaia Duran as Angel
Outstanding Achievement in Educational Impact and Community Outreach in. Musical: Joonaia Duran
Congratulations to all performers and best of luck to our Graduates!
