About the EGRHS DRAMA Program
East Grand Rapids High School, in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a member of the the International Thespian Society and has an active and vibrant Drama program. Over 300 EGRHS students participate in at least one production each year. Shows staged in recent years have included Robin Hood, The Comedy of Errors, Les Misérables (Student Edition), Pride an Prejudice, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Frankenstein, A Christmas Story, and On the Town.
Students can be involved in as many as 6 extra-curricular productions during the school year: A Fall play, a Winter production, a Variety/talent show, a Spring musical, a One-act play and a student production which is staged, directed and produced entirely by students and the EGRHS Drama Club. The One-Act is the school's submission to the Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association's (MIFA) High School Theatre Festival. In the past 5 years, EGRHS has advanced to the State MIFA competition 4 times.
EGRHS theatrical productions are open to all students. In addition to acting roles, opportunities abound for students to become involved backstage with stage managing, student directing, set construction, lighting and sound design, stage crew, publicity, costuming and makeup, and ushers and house managers. Auditions schedules are available online, announced at Drama Club meetings and posted on the Club bulletin board. Students wishing to participate in any capacity, including backstage or supporting positions, must attend at least one audition and fill out a form indicating their interest.
In addition to the extra-curricular stage productions mentioned above, EGRHS offers 3 Theatre classes.
EGRHS Drama Staff
- Pamela Steers, Director of Drama Activities
psteers@egrps.org
Director of the Fall play, one-act, and Spring musical - Harry Coffill, Director of the Winter play Variety Show hcoffill@egrps.org
- Katie Michell, Director of the Variety Show kmichell@egrps.org
- Cicely Schonberg, and Sabrina Petkus, directors for the Student plays
- Trent Wadsworth, Performing Arts Center Director and Technical Director twadswor@egrps.org
The Performing Arts Center & Little Auditorium
EGRHS's Performing Arts Center (PAC) is a state of the art theatre seating up to 680 patrons in an intimate Italian Opera House-style setting. The theatre also houses dressing and makeup rooms, large fly and wing space, a set construction shop, an orchestra pit, a green room, and costume storage. Completed in 2002, the facility is used for most drama productions; the H.S. band, orchestra, and choral concerts; other school functions; as well as community events. The Drama Department also uses the newly renovated Little Auditorium to stage productions having smaller space requirements, as well as a rehearsal space for the larger productions. The Winter play and student play are generally performed in the Little Auditorium.
Stage Boosters:
The EGRHS Stage Boosters is a Parent organization formed to support the students and Drama Department help mount the productions. Parents of all students involved are encouraged to join this friendly group. Click here to learn more about Stage Boosters.
