Excellence On and Off the Stage

Students who attend the School of Performing Arts Theater Program at Middlesex County Vocational School leave knowing something about everything.

“I do a little bit of everything, and it’s been my struggle when preparing for college. Which one do I focus on?” said Gabriel Spector, a senior in the program who has been accepted to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. “This gives us the tools to be effective performers.”

The program prepares students for careers in the profession by immersing them in every aspect of the theater experience. From acting, production and design and theatre history to improvisation, directing, playwriting and criticism, students enrolled in the program say they wouldn’t know what to do without it.

“I’ve had nightmares thinking about not being in this program. You learn every aspect of the theater. I’m lucky to come to this school,” said Cassie Chartier.

The conservatory-style program runs for a half-day every day, with students spending the rest of their time on academics. According to the school, more than 90 percent of students in the program end up at performing arts college programs, including Mason Gross School of the Arts, the Tisch School of the Arts and elsewhere.  

“I feel very strongly that young artists are not trained young enough,” said instructor Maria Aladren. “While in most high school programs the goal is more for art appreciation, here, training of artists is very specific.”

To see some of the students’ work, visit the school on Summerhill Road tonight (Thursday), Friday and Saturday for a performance of Shakespeare's “A Comedy of Errors.”

The show is the sophomore and junior project, and while rehearsals began in February, students have been studying since the beginning year to prepare by learning about sound and lighting, acting, and more, including studying the text closely enough so that they do more than just memorize, they understand what they are saying.

“I demand that they learn (the International Phonetic Alphabet), and go through a textural analysis of every line. That’s from September to February. In February we start rehearsal, then this happens,” said Aladren, motioning to the student built set on the main stage.

Giving students a taste of everything is one of the keys to the program’s success, said Chelsea Moroski.

“A lot of the alumni that have gone to college and come back tell us how prepared they are to deal with everything,” she said.

Chelsea entered the program wanting to be a stage manager, and while that’s still her goal, she appreciates and knows she’ll be better prepared for her calling now that she knows a little bit about everything.

“I started as an actor here and switched, acting is awesome, but stage manager is what I want to do,” she said.

It’s that sureness and confidence that is evident upon meeting some of the program’s students. While not everyone of them knows exactly what they want to do, or in what role they will end up, each knows that the arts and theater are exactly where they want to be.

“When I was 9 I wanted to be in the arts somewhere,” said Hannah Suchomel. “That’s the good thing about the program, you can explore everything.”

And that is exactly the type of student the program is looking for

“It’s important that they understand they have to be a promoter, and take advantage of every opportunity,” said Aladren.

Many of her students have taken that lesson to heart, and most of the seniors have resumes filled with auditions and readings in addition to performances at large regional theaters.

“Even after a year, I feel prepared to go into theater in college,” said Brian Mahoney.

“A Comedy of Errors will be held in the school's theater at the east end of the East Brunswick campus. Free parking is available on site at Summerhill Road and Rues Lane. Tickets are $12 for general admission ($15 at door) and $5 for all students and senior citizens. Admission is free for teachers and administrators K-12 and performing arts professionals.  Tickets are available at the school. To reserve tickets or for further information call 732-254-8700 or email aladrenm@mcvts.net.