Northwest Catholic & Intensive Education Academy Take the Stage

West Hartford’s Northwest Catholic High School and Intensive Education Academy collaborate every year for its Unified Theater program. This year students from both schools are working together to present "Dear Diary, When I grow up…” On Friday, February 8 at 6pm in NWC’s Rice Auditorium, these young actors will bring their show to life.

Unified Theatre is a program that brings together typical and atypical students to celebrate the wonder and power of theater. Students from both schools work together to create the program’s annual theme, and everyone is encouraged to bring suggestions to the table. The students then figure out ways to incorporate the various ideas into the performance.

Throughout the fall and winter six groups have been writing and rehearsing their skits. Cate Wilcox, a Northwest Catholic junior from Windsor, said with enthusiasm, “The students from IEA have so many good ideas— ideas we’d never think of.” She continued, “It’s a whole group thing, and it showcases everyone’s abilities.” Wilcox concluded, “Unified Theater is about friendship. It’s about acceptance. It’s a place where there’s no judgement.”

Northwest Catholic junior Erin Conway from West Hartford helped explain how Unified Theater works. She explained that Mrs. Bournique, a religion teacher and Assistant Director of Campus Ministry at NWC, brings the cast from Northwest Catholic to IEA every week. She and Mrs. Barbour, the Assistant Director of Education at IEA, are there every session while the students collaborate and rehearse. Then when it’s showtime, Mrs. Avery, Chair of NWC's Performing Arts Department and Director of the Dramateurs, steps in to give direction and guidance. Conway said, “Mrs. Avery pulls it all together.”

Gabe Landi, a Northwest Catholic junior from Colebrook, helped explain what Unified Theater is all about. He said, “It actually embodies the purpose of every single club or activity at Northwest – to build community. Everyone involved in the program looks forward to rehearsal, no matter their role or job. It’s just a good time where you’re able to be comfortable with yourself and where others are able to be comfortable around you.”

Landi pointed out, "Dear Diary, When I grow up…” is particularly special because it’s the last show for a couple of long-time Unified Theater members who have really helped the program to develop into what it is today.”

Curious about Unified Theater? Come to NWC and IEA’s performance Friday, February 8 at 6pm in NWC’s Rice Auditorium. The cost is free and the public is welcome.