By Love Pickle – Loveland, Colorado … Campion Academy’s drama class performed for parents, guests, and fellow classmates, giving a striking performance of The Sound of Music which, according to one student, captured the hearts of the audience.

The event, rescheduled from last month, was held on February 12.  As the doors opened for the performance, the CA gymnasium was quickly filled with anticipation and excitement as attendees waited to see the drama class show off their hard work.

Blessing, Campion senior who played Liesel, reflected on the event, “The Sound of Music helped me learn how to manage a stressful situation, and it also gave me a chance to do something new, since I’ve never been in a musical.” As graduation is nearing, she said, “It’s something I will never forget, and I’m glad I had the chance to perform.”

The Sound of Music helped students bond on a deeper level. Ariel, a sophomore who played Maria, explained, “It was a great experience. I was lucky to have been chosen as the lead with a great team behind me. It helped us grow together as a big family.”

It wasn’t only the performers on stage who made the evening a success. Students working behind the scenes also contributed to the success of the performance. Daniel, a senior working on set design, remarked, “Being backstage was a completely different experience than being upfront. We spent weeks preparing backgrounds and props to make the stage look as lively as possible. Although we weren’t seen, our roles were significant, and it was an overall pleasure getting to work with Ms. Johnson and my colleagues.”

Erin Johnson, drama teacher, directed the play along with the invaluable help of the assistant student director Brianna Bell. “I absolutely loved seeing the students’ hard work come to life,” exclaimed Bell. “Even though we encountered minor hiccups along the way, how the actors recovered is what made it such a great play.”

The senior class was able to use this premiere as a fundraiser by providing an unforgettable dine-in experience for attendees. The show concluded with a standing ovation from parents and students, evidence of a well-produced show, and a successful evening.

–Love Pickle is a senior at Campion Academy; photos supplied