Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board member April Payne proposed during the board’s Nov. 5 meeting that the district restart its dormant theatre program.
“I’ve been having a lot of conversations with parents who are considering whether they’re going to do Mingus [Union High School] or [Sedona] Red Rock High [School] and keep hearing again, over and over about how amazing that the theatre department is at Mingus and how that would be such a draw,” Payne said.
MUHS’ A Troupe of Ridiculous Thespians recently staged Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” from Oct. 25 through Nov. 3, and is currently rehearsing their upcoming Broadway-style revue.
Superintendent Tom Swaninger subsequently stated that he is committed to restarting the program and that he perceives the biggest hurdle with doing so to be finding someone to run it.
“I 100% agree with that in developing a thriving performing arts program, that is absolutely critical,” Swaninger said. “Unfortunately we spent numerous resources really trying to find a person that would be willing to come in to do that.”
Swaninger said he envisioned the theatre program restarting as an afterschool club, and that the program manager would be compensated for running the club in a similar fashion to a sports coach. Varsity head coaches at SOCSD are generally paid $4,189 for the school year, while varsity assistant and junior high coaches receive $2,205.
to the district to restart the program could be between $10,000 and $20,000 to cover items like sets, costumes and script rights.
“If we can find someone that has the right skill set, mindset, the right level of passion and interest in committing to building a program, we will find a way to make it happen,” Swaninger said. “If we were to be able to act on this immediately, I’m hopeful that we could even have a spring production.”
Those interested in leading the Sedona Red Rock High School theatre program can contact Principal Heather Isom at (928) 204-6712 or Isom@ SedonaK12.org.
Garden Cleanup Day
The city of Sedona Sustainability Department and Gardens for Humanity invited community members to volunteer for a garden cleanup day at West Sedona School on Saturday, Nov. 16. Volunteers helped rebuild the garden for future classroom use by students.
“Once the space is functional again, we will focus on starting some cool-season crops and use the space for teachers to visit and use this learning environment for other academic activities that incorporate writing, math, science and art,” WSS Principal Alisa Stieg said. “We hope to plant perennials along the sides of the fence in the spring.”
Gardens for Humanity has a long history with WSS. Over the years, the nonprofit has developed school gardens and led art and cultural projects with students. From 2011 until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic response, Gardens for Humanity ran a program called “Celebrating the Art in Earth,” which combined environmental education with art projects, including performances and garden-based art.
The organization received $4,500 from the city of Sedona’s small grants program this year to fund for afterschool arts and gardening programs. It has also provided gardening electives for middle school students, facilitated garden clubs and helped teachers incorporate the WSS garden into their curriculum.
“At the end of the previous school year our garden teacher moved away and there were administrative changes, so that the garden has not been used since that time,” Stieg said. “We have been meeting with … staff to revive the garden and make it welcoming as an outdoor classroom and STEAM lab.”
“We are looking for new volunteers and a new garden teacher to work with committed WSS staff and parents,” Stieg said.
