At the high school, two productions are done each school year; in the Fall semester, a play and in the Spring semester, a musical. Both are directed and choreographed by experienced teachers and guest artists and designed by professional designers. These shows have developed a winning reputation in the community and region, and have sold out the 800-seat Fogelberg Performing Arts Center on numerous occasions. Classes such as Drama, Advanced Drama, Musical Theatre I & II, and Field Study in Technical Theatre are offered.
History & Development
BHS celebrated 50 years of theatrical productions in 2013! Burlington has a storied history of producing theatre, as evidenced by the extensive list of productions, which you can read here.
2000 and on
Musicals that had never been done before at BHS were produced. Investments in technical improvements for sound and lighting were made. There was a return to producing plays: Fools was produced in 2006, the first non-musical prodcution since 1985. The highest grossing production since the program's beginning, Les Miserables, was produced in 2007, selling over 2,000 tickets. It ran for four performances. After that year, the musical productions began to span two weekends with between five and seven total performances in each run.
The artistic vision of Susan LaVoie brought about these productions and pushed the theatre program forward, with the supporting efforts of music director, producer, and Music Department coordinator John Middleton-Cox.
With the retirement of Susan LaVoie after directing Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2008, the theatre program continued to advance under the artistic guidance of John Middleton-Cox. Mr. Middleton-Cox also gained support from school administration to establish stipends for designers and directors, and to make capital improvements to the Performing Arts Center. He also fostered the development of student interest in technical theatre, and a Stage Crew Club was created by students in 2010.
In 2013, the Music Department was reorganized as a Performing Arts Department, adding a choral teaching position and appointing Mr. Middleton-Cox as K-12 Director, signaling the district's focus on theatre as part of the arts curriculum.
2000 and on
Musicals that had never been done before at BHS were produced. Investments in technical improvements for sound and lighting were made. There was a return to producing plays: Fools was produced in 2006, the first non-musical prodcution since 1985. The highest grossing production since the program's beginning, Les Miserables, was produced in 2007, selling over 2,000 tickets. It ran for four performances. After that year, the musical productions began to span two weekends with between five and seven total performances in each run.
The artistic vision of Susan LaVoie brought about these productions and pushed the theatre program forward, with the supporting efforts of music director, producer, and Music Department coordinator John Middleton-Cox.
With the retirement of Susan LaVoie after directing Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2008, the theatre program continued to advance under the artistic guidance of John Middleton-Cox. Mr. Middleton-Cox also gained support from school administration to establish stipends for designers and directors, and to make capital improvements to the Performing Arts Center. He also fostered the development of student interest in technical theatre, and a Stage Crew Club was created by students in 2010.
In 2013, the Music Department was reorganized as a Performing Arts Department, adding a choral teaching position and appointing Mr. Middleton-Cox as K-12 Director, signaling the district's focus on theatre as part of the arts curriculum.
