By KELLIE BUTLER FARRELL
The bright lights of live theater will soon shine down on Coral Shores High School as actors prepare for their first production in two years. COVID-19 abruptly dropped the curtain on performances in 2020, leaving many aspiring thespians struggling to fill the void.
“Theater is kind of an escape for me, a home, so not having that along with the companions that come with theater, it’s been really hard to just keep on keeping on,” said CSHS senior Gabi Rivera. Rivera and 13 other actors are busy rehearsing for the Harry Potter-inspired comedy, “Puffs.”
“I’m really excited because my freshman year the production we were doing got canceled because of COVID, as well as our state competition, so this kind of feels like it’s risen from the ashes and it’s a revival of the program,” said junior Aleisa Crumb. Crumb also serves as the student director for the play.
The play involves a lot of improvisation, with actors having to think on their feet. Coral Shores drama and musical director Suzanne Gagliardini says that aspect will add to the excitement.
“On the night of, I don’t know what story they’re going to come up with. It’s very, very exciting. They entertain me. There’s so much talent, it’s extraordinary,” said Gagliardini.
As Coral Shores prepares for opening night on Friday, May 13, Key Largo School learned it received two grants, totaling $21,750, to start a drama program. The extracurricular program will be led by Michele Zofchak, who was instrumental in developing the Coral Shores drama program before taking a job at KLS.
“The kids really need something to keep them happy and involved and connected to the school and theater has so many opportunities,” said Zofchak, “not just for the extroverts who want to be on stage, but for the kids who want to be backstage and do makeup, hair and costumes and build sets and be stage managers.” She plans to start the drama program at the beginning of the next school year at KLS.
The Keys Children’s Foundation gave $11,750 to KLS for the drama program and $10,000 was awarded by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (CFFK) in collaboration with the Key Players.
“We’re going to give them support as far as helping them with production, helping them with publicity, basically whatever she needs,” said Jonelle Kop, president of the Key Players. Kop has volunteered with the community, non-profit theater group for 21 years and says this grant money will be well spent. “Today’s day and age the kids are on their phones constantly” said Kop, “and having interpersonal communication with people and being able to speak in front of a bunch of people as an art form is getting lost and the theater brings that out.”
Kop said the Key Players are thrilled to help KLS with this new theater endeavor even as they work to find a new venue for their productions. Their former home, the Lions Club, recently sold. The Murray Nelson Center is an option, but Kop said performing at the government center is now more costly. Kop is looking for other rehearsal and performance locations and urges anyone with a possible venue to give her a call at (305) 942-4339.
Puffs runs Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m. A matinee performance will take place on Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m. Monroe County students attend for free. General admission is $10 at the door and advance tickets can be purchased at Coral Shores High School.
Puffs take place inside the CSHS Performing Arts Center at MM 89.9.
