For the first time, Columbus Middle School and Columbus High School come together to mount a theatrical production for the community. More than 40 young people in sixth through 11th grades will present Elton John’s and Tim Rice’s “Aida: School Edition” Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School auditorium.
Adapted from the four-time Tony Award-winning hit “Aida,” “Aida: School Edition” is a modern crowd-pleaser that embraces dancing and singing. It is specially adapted to meet the needs of young performers, while maintaining the integrity of the original musical inspired by the 19th-century opera “Aida,” by Giuseppe Verdi.
Putting on this production has long been an aspiration for Columbus Middle School drama instructor Chelsea Petty. She directs the musical.
“We are very excited to finally be performing this show,” she said. “I have wanted to see our students bring it to life for the past three years and now, it’s like a dream come true.”
Love and war
The story of “Aida” follows the journey of one man and two princesses from enemy nations. Capt. Radames (Aaron Gavin) is engaged to the spoiled Egyptian Princess Amneris (Anna Pierce), but the soldier falls in love with the brave Nubian girl he has enslaved, not knowing she is really the Nubian Princess Aida (Izzy Poros). It’s a love triangle in time of war.
Poros, a seventh-grader, commented on portraying the title character.
“Aida has to make a lot of choices, and it’s cool to play her because there’s so much to have to understand about her,” said the 13-year-old daughter of John and Leslie Poros.
Some students involved have been working in and on plays in the school district for years. There are also new faces.
“R.J. Gore is one of them,” Petty said. “He plays the lovable and forever-loyal Mereb, an enslaved Nubian with a sharp intelligence and a burning desire to be free. His singing is absolutely amazing!”
The cast also includes DeArius Jefferson, Hunter Brooks, Sebastian Rojas-Rincon, Takhari “T.J.” Tyus, Zachariah Harden, Tyler Lowrey, DeVarkas Ramsey, Zachary Wilson, Elijah Karriem, Jakayla Brown, Kyla Norwood, Tally Hunter, Jerrika Pardubsky, Tahshaun Tate, Jarom Toy, Joshua Jefferson, Arrionna Neal, Sumya McBride, Vamiya Singleton and Kinnedy Johnson.
Students are involved in every aspect of the presentation.
“They run everything: sound, lights, wardrobe, set changes, all of it,” said Petty. “Several of my CMS students even built the set and made costumes.”
Assistant Director Justine Moser’s high school students are responsible for the program, ushering and makeup.
Petty remarked, “(The production) has taught students responsibility and many skills they never imagined having, like how to use a drill and how to cut out a costume from a pattern. They can’t wait to see it all onstage. They have a lot of pride in their hard work.”
How to go
Public performances are Thursday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. in the Columbus Middle School auditorium. Tickets are $5, available at the door. The Middle School is located at 175 Highway 373 in north Columbus.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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