‘Nightmare Before Christmas’: There’s Nothing Nightmarish in Students’ Achievements

A play directed, choreographed and produced by a Bloomfield Hills High School student as part of the requirements of the International Baccalaureate Programme will be presented to the public Thursday and Friday, Feb. 27-28, in the high school auditorium.

Sophomore Claudia Cooper is presenting “Nightmare Before Christmas” as part of her MYP (Middle Years Programme).

She adapted the 45-minute play from the movie and musical versions of “Nightmare Before Christmas,” according to a story on the school’s web site. 

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a 1933 stop-motion musical fantasy produced and co-written by Jack Burton. It tells the story of Jack Skellington, a being from “Halloween Town,” who opens a portal to “Christmas Town” and decides to celebrate the holiday – with comical and diabolical consequences.

Twenty Bloomfield Hills High School students were cast in the play and they rehearsed for several hours three times a week to prepare for this week’s performances.

“It’s a really big learning experience for everyone, besides performing,” Cooper said. “They are learning to do their own makeup, create their own costumes and help with the set.”

They’re also getting a lesson in public service. A “ticket” for the play is a canned good that will be donated to Gleaners Food Bank.

The International Baccalaureate Organization promotes the sharing of best practices to introduce a multicultural understanding and international credibility to its curriculum. The IBO requires consistency in staff development and programme assessment at all of its international schools throughout the world.

>>> See a slideshow from the rehearsals.