Broadway Titan Major Hit
October 7, 2012 by Clayton Bridges ·
The Book of Mormon hits theatres hard to be unbeaten for decades.
Hit Broadway musical made its way to Denver. Photo from salttvnetwork.com
Feeeeeeeeed Meeeee!
March 20, 2012 by Cody Anderson ·
TJ’s Drama Department brought us to a place of love, songs, terror, and laughs in their rendition of Little Shop of Horrors.
Seymour (Keith Hussey) and Audrey (Sarah Frances Gardiner) share a romantic and climatic moment nearing the end of Little Shop of Horrors. Photo by Becca Hansen.
The Amazing Eight
May 4, 2011 by Luke DeGregori ·
The Fourth Wall stands out as one of TJ’s best plays.
Photo courtesy of the Kutz family.
Café Cultura and Teatro Izcalli Change Latino Views on Art
April 14, 2010 by Martha Alvarez ·
Taking ownership of their culture and traditions, these two organizations are drawing crowds.
A scene from Café Cultura. Photo courtesy of Teatro Izcalli
Practically Perfect In Every Way
April 13, 2010 by Michael Kutz ·
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins brings the magic of Disney to the stage. No wonder that it’s Mary that we love.
Courtesy of Disney.com
Tech Crew Sets the Stage for Rent
March 17, 2010 by Jasmine Kabera ·
New crew and old crew work together to make Rent spectacular.
photo by Gustavo Garcia
Braided Sorrow
November 2, 2008 by Martha Alvarez ·
A story of struggle and success.
by Martha Alvarez
Read more
Fall Play “Moon Over Buffalo” Expected to Shine
September 24, 2008 by Lauren Abrams ·
TJ drama team takes on comedy for its annual fall play.
by Lauren Abrams
Immediately as the curtain rises, Thomas Jefferson’s audience will be in hysterics as this year’s fall play kicks off with a rare comedy, Moon Over Buffalo. Read more
They Razzle Dazzled Us: A Chicago Review
March 16, 2008 by Manny Perez ·
“If you’d have been there. If you’d have seen it, I betcha you would have done the same.”
by Manny Perez
Thomas Jefferson High School students and staff members have always had reasons to be proud of their school. Achievements in athletics are always met with trophies and awards. Accomplishments in learning and academics are emphasized with ceremonies and certificates. There is always a reward for those who exert incredible force while in their climb towards success here at TJ. What of the Drama Department and their latest effort, Chicago?
They strive for no trophy, nor any certificate, nor any celebration, nor ceremony, nor prize of any sort. The cast and crew’s single request is simple and modest: an audience. An audience that may or may not choose to applaud, but they did applaud for this show. The audience could only clap, whistle, and shout as the most spectacular epic in recent TJ memory was performed before them.
Specifically, the entire spectacle was such a plethora of talent bursting from so many unexpected sources, that plainly saying “Chicago was good” would be deemed as hideously understated. Every single aspect of Chicago was in effect spellbinding and awe-inspiring. Music, acting, vocals, lighting, backdrops, scenery, the cast itself. Chicago was a cornucopia of amazement that left the crowd not only open-mouthed, but granting the play and its creators accolades of ovation after ovation. They deserved roses. Read more
Choreographing Chicago
March 14, 2008 by Sinjin Jones ·
A look at the choreography of TJ Drama’s blockbuster production, Chicago.
by Sinjin Jones
photo by Manuel Perez
Turn, lift, jazz, square, Charleston, grapevine, jump, and chase; choreography is the glue that holds any musical together. From the opening number, All That Jazz, to Hot Honey Rag and the closing scene, the murderous city of 1920’s Chicago is a dance-filled place.
“Choreography is really important and we spend a lot of time teaching it to people,” said Lead Choreographer and Teacher Carole Fulkerson. For this musical Fulkerson choreographed 13 dances. With everyone from the Company (those who act as singers and dancers in the musical along with a bit of acting) to the Leads (the stars of the show) needing to look professional, choreography was no easy task.
“It’s really difficult to learn all of the dances and then to remember them,” said Dance Lead Allyson Hussey, “but we know that they’re going to look amazing in the end so we’re willing to put in the work.” Lunges, lifts, and spins all grace the stage of Chicago and the cast put a lot of work into it. “We spend at least an hour a day dancing,” said Hussey. “It takes dedication but we know it’s going to turn out well.” Some days, the cast spends up to four hours in the Dance Room learning new choreography. “With big dance numbers like We Both Reached for the Gun and All That Jazz, it’s difficult because there are so many people learning it at the same time, but those end up being the best because everyone is involved and people can feel the excitement.” Read more
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