‘Winter Cabaret’ Gives Drama Program Students A Chance To Stretch Their Performing Talents
The weather outside may have been frightful, and patrons may have been still sore from shoveling themselves out of a record-breaking blizzard four days earlier, but the stage of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) was transformed into a cozy “Winter Cabaret” on Wednesday, Jan. 27, to hear some 17 acts, mostly singers and musicians, but also some actors delivering monologues, a stand-up comedienne delivering jokes, and an ‘improv’ comedy troupe that sent scores of audience members home with smiles on their faces.
Winter Cabaret was presented by the Script and Cue student acting troupe of the WHRHS Theater arts program. Theater Arts Teacher Doug Eaton, who introduced all the acts, said the Winter Cabaret was meant to: Raise a little money to augment funding for theater programs and give a talented groups of WHRHS theater arts actors, singers and musicians opportunities to perform before a live audience.
Students welcomed patrons to Winter Cabaret, thanking them for their support with a suggested $10 donation, and offering them related fundraising paraphernalia, such as Theater Arts Department stuffed animals and T-Shirts.
Eaton said the Theater Arts program at WHRHS has many “very talented students,” who have helped to build a “wonderful program.” The program offers entertaining performances while helping the students to learn the craft of acting, along with all the various other skills and experience that go into stage productions. “I am a teacher,” said Eaton. “We do this for the young people, the students.”
Performers, in order of appearence, included Nikhil Bhat, Anthony Speros, Matt Renzo, Jenna Stetz, Blake Shapiro, Allison Horvath, Owen DiDonna, Hannah Melillo, Veronica Mu, Victoria Magali, Peri Martins, Carly Macmanus, Kyra Anthony, Jackie Romankow, Judy Tounsi, Hannah Melillo, Julia Sluyter, Judy Tounsi, Ben Allgor, Sam Sinnott, Amelia Stapperfenne, Alex Bird and Charles Buscarino.
(above, l-r) Greeting patrons who attended the Winter Cabaret, are Senior Angela Celeste of Millington, Senior Judy Tounsi of Green Brook Township, and Senior Ryan Prestera of Stirling.
(above, l-r) Leads in the WHRHS Spring Musical, “She Loves Me,” rehearse after school, Junior Jackie Romankow of Gillette, Senior Alex Bird of Millington, Senior Judy Tounsi of Green Brook Township, Sophomore Sam Sinnott of Millington, Senior Julia Sluyter of Gillette and Senior Ryan Prestera of Stirling.
