Bakersfield.com

Drama unfolds daily at College Heights and I do mean unfolds. Wait, I'm not saying there is a lot of trauma. No, for the first time in its 50 year history, College Heights Elementary School on Sunny Lane has a drama coach and the low socio-economic, high English language learners school is puttting on its 4th Drama production. This will be the first  evening performance. 

As the drama coach, I have been working with a dedicated group of about 25 students preparing a play written by Jennifer Payne and Isaac Childres called, If the Shoe Fits?.  It is yet another Cinderella story with a happily ever after ending with a twist.  There are characters from several fairy tales such as the Big Bad Wolf, Red Riding Hood, the three blind mice, etc.  The students have been rehearsing and learning lines, blocking, acting techniques, and how to work together as a team since early January and will perform three times on Thursday, March 12 at 8:30 for the 1-3 graders, 10:30 for the 4-6 graders, and 6:30 for the parents and community.

The principal, Ricardo Zavala, and many other staff members have been very helpful in making sure the Cougar P.A.C. (Performing Arts Club) has everything they need to make the production a great experience for these students, who, with one exeption, have never been in a play. From a trip to thrift stores for costumes, creating a playbill as a momento, donating props, making scenery, to repairing the stage curtains, etc. most are just as excited as Virginia (who otherwise is a first grade teacher here) to have this Drama production happen at their school.

The community is invited to witness this historical event and cheer those young actors on as they get their first taste of glory.