News

Public is invited to high school theater performance Thursday

Jasmine Hyatt and Kaitlyn Burns rehearse for the WHEN performance.

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 5, 2024

The WHEN Project, now in its 16th year, invites the public to join in celebrating the creativity and exceptional talent of Henderson County Public Schools students at 6 o'clock Thursday night at the Hendersonville High School Auditorium.

Actors in the advanced theatre classes of West, Hendersonville, East, and North Henderson high schools will perform.

“What sets the WHEN Project apart is its unique approach to fostering creativity,” said Todd Weakley, theatre teacher at Hendersonville High School. “The program also highlights the strategic problem-solving skills the project fosters and the pressure of impending performance dates.”

Early in the year, theatre teachers from the four high schools come together to set the parameters for the productions. This year's challenge includes incorporating a line of dialogue, a prop, an incident, and a selected decade—in this case, the 1990s—into each of the four 30-minute plays.

Over the following five weeks, students conceptualize, create, write, rehearse, and design their productions within a budget of $100. The culmination of their hard work is an evening of captivating performances, showcasing the ingenuity and dedication of the theatre students

Following the showcase, the productions are critiqued by area theatre professionals, providing invaluable feedback to the students.

"We hope that this experience opens the eyes of our students to what is possible," said Kelly Cooper, theatre teacher from West Henderson High School.

Jackie Hernandez, a senior at Hendersonville High School, shared her perspective on the collaborative nature of the project.

“This isn’t a competition, but we want to make the best piece we can, because we know that the other groups are working hard,” she said.

The WHEN Project's success is owed in part to the support it receives from the community. From its inception, the project has been sustained through grants and ticket sales, reflecting the community's commitment to nurturing young artistic talent.