Yosemite High School
theatre taking shape
BY IRENE THIRLWALL - ITHIRLWALL@SIERRASTAR.COM

IRENE THIRLWALL
The grand opening for the YHS performing arts center is scheduled for Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.

At Yosemite High School, the music and theater students along with the community will have a new venue to hold performances.

A new performing arts center is being constructed in a previously existing building on the Yosemite High School campus.

Theater Arts Director Lars Thorson said his students are excited about performing in the new theater and will be performing a couple of scenes from their next play (“Romeo and Juliet”) at the theatre’s grand opening.

“We chose ‘Romeo and Juliet’ because it is a well known and classic play,” Thorson said.

The grand opening will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. The building is located near the intersection of School Road [427] and No Name Road [428] and is free and open to the public. Entertainment for the evening, along with the scenes from “Romeo and Juliet,” the YHS choirs and YHS instrumental groups will perform and there will also be a YHS art show and refreshments.

“My students and I are working hard on the first production in the new YHS theatre,” Thorson said.

“The students have been rehearsing since November and we’re excited about the new facility.”

The new theatre will have 250 built-in seats and space for up to 150 temporary seats or it can also be used as an orchestra pit.
Students Justin Barigian, 17, and Lesley MacDonald, 17, both seniors are playing the lead roles in “Romeo and Juliet.”

“It is really thrilling to be opening a play in the new theatre,” MacDonald said. “It’s a beautiful and classic play and I’m excited to do this my senior year and leave with good memories and experiences.”
Barigian expressed his feelings for the theatre and the type of play Romeo and Juliet is. “It’s exciting because it’s one of the hardest plays we’ve done here and unlike other plays we’ve done, Shakespeare’s stuff is more serious and we’ve done more comedies.” Barigian said. “It’s nice to open up the theatre on a serious note.”

Thorson said he is happy with the new facility. “I am very excited that the school district had the interest in the arts and that the superintendent saw the insight to build it, it will be a huge asset to the community,” Thorson said. “We are encouraging the community to call to use theatre and some have already called.”

Yosemite Joint Union High School District News