When the curtain went up on Tuesday night at the Frederick High School auditorium stage, cast members of all abilities had an opportunity to share the spotlight.
As part of a new unified theater program, a cast and crew of students took the stage in an original production called “Full Moon Over Route 66.” The show featured different characters arriving at a diner on the night of a full moon. Guests at the diner find themselves stuck in a recurring time loop, and struggle to find a way out.
This is the first year for unified theater programs in the St Vrain Valley School District. Niwot High School Theater Director Amanda Foust first introduced the idea of offering an inclusive theater class with the goal of empowering all students to get involved in theatrical arts.
Frederick High School drama teacher Kendle Butterworth embraced the idea and has been teaching her own unified theater class for the past four months.
“I love that we are able to break down barriers and create an environment where students of all abilities can be part of the production process,” Butterworth said.
Tuesday’s show was put together by the students themselves. Class participants chose both themes and characters for the production, and Butterworth used an artificial intelligence application to write the script. Everyone in the class was provided a role either on stage or in a technical capacity.
“The great thing about theater is that there are so many different ways to participate,” Butterworth said.
In order to make the dramatic arts more accessible to different student groups, rehearsals for the show took place during class time.
“The goal is to give every student an opportunity to shine,” Butterworth said.
Student Avery Ruiz kept the audience laughing in his role as the narrator.
“We have a lot of fun in class,” he said. “I think the show was great.”
Fellow performer, Joey Summers, agreed. “I’m not in the class, but when I heard about the show I asked Mrs. Butterworth if I could participate. Theater is my passion, and it has been great to support the unified students and help them find the same enjoyment on stage.”
Unified theater is offered every semester at both Niwot and Frederick High schools, and classes are open to all students.
