Celebrating Creativity and Talent: ‘WHEN’ Project Showcases High School Theatre at Henderson County Public Schools

An image of text that says "The WHEN project. A festival of new plays featuring Henderson County Public Schools. Thursday, March 7th at 6 pm. Hendersonville High School auditorium." There is an image of an apple tree and a QR code to buy tickets.

Hendersonville, NC, March 04, 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.

On March 7th, 2024, at 6 pm, at the Hendersonville High School Auditorium, the public can immerse themselves in an evening of theatrical talent presented by the advanced theatre classes of West, Hendersonville, East, and North Henderson high schools.

“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.

Kelly Cooper, theatre teacher from West Henderson High School, expressed her hopes for the students, stating, “We hope that this experience opens the eyes of our students to what is possible.”

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.”

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.

 

Event Details:

March 7th, 2024, 6 pm – 9 pm

Hendersonville High School Auditorium

$5.00

Buy tickets online.

 

About WHEN Project:

The WHEN Project, now in its 16th year, is a collaborative effort among the advanced theatre classes of West, Hendersonville, East, and North Henderson high schools in Henderson County, NC. The project challenges students to create original theatrical productions within set parameters, fostering creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Supported by grants and community involvement, the WHEN Project continues to be a cornerstone of artistic expression and youth development in Henderson County.

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