Hillview Students To Perform Mulan

Students will be performing Mulan in July at Hillview Middle School in Menlo Park as the final project of a summer theatre camp. 

Bill Hairston, Hillview drama teacher, said the students in the summer drama program have been working for the past few weeks to learn all aspects of producing a live theatrical performance.

From showing them how to create sets to finding the courage to stand in front of a crowd, the day camp is taking center stage in many artistic kids' lives. 

“The challenge is that they only have 13 rehearsal days to put it all together,” Hairston told Patch.

The program was free for kids in the Menlo Park City School District. It was funded by grants from the district and gifts from parents who want their children to nurture their creative sides, Hairston said. 23 incoming sixth graders have been working for the past two weeks to learn how to choreograph musical numbers in the show, which will also feature four students from Encinal School.

Mulan is a story about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join the army and save her father. The musical production that the campers will perform is adapted from the 1998 Disney movie. 

“It’s about not following tradition and paving the road for change,” Hairston told Patch. “It’s kind of like Robin Hood; we’re not sure if the story is true or not,” he said, describing the origins of the tale that inspired the movie. 

P.E. teacher Katrhyn Salem is showing the students how to choreograph the dances, while teacher Claire Dikas helps them hit the right pitches through vocal lessons. This is their final week of rehearsal. This week students will be learning how to illuminate the theatre and create digital soundscapes. 

The show starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 12 in the Hillview Middle School Performing Arts Center, located at 1100 Elder Avenue in Menlo Park California.  Tickets are $5 at the door. 

A second performance will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 13 in the same location.