VRHS Musical Production On Hold, Available To See Virtually

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — In keeping with the overall theme of 2021, and everything being "different" from past years, VRHS's musical production this year is a virtual program.

Principal of VRHS, Mike Barile, wrote a recent letter to the community explaining the show and praising the work of long-time music director Ingrid Walsh, as well as, the hard work and dedication of the VRHS students involved in the production.

Dear VRHS Community,
Our very own musical director, Ingrid Walsh, and her crew produced a terrific Virtual program this year. Below, Ingrid describes the model that VRMP utilized this year due to the pandemic. The Virtual program can be accessed by clicking here. We are proud of the entire cast and crew and cannot wait to see VRMP perform live on stage next year!
Over what would have been the traditional 5 month Musical Production season this school year, Valley Regional High School students participated in the Valley Regional Musical Production On Hold experience, with all work designed, engineered, created, collaborated, and executed remotely.
The students and adult team delved into an unknown experience with the mindset of flexibility and the mission of producing something out of nothing. Students experienced several different musicals, studied the audition process and pre-production. They independently completed showcase numbers, participated in a production number with 600+ students nationwide, auditioned for nominations to be adjudicated, and more. They danced, laughed, learned, and connected in a season that was disconnected.
As cast members began working on their own remote production number, crew students began outlining a documentary supported by student journalist interviews. This documentary shared their stories from the unexpected shut down of MATILDA (VRMP 2020) days before opening, to a new way of creating theatre. Please enjoy viewing our Virtual Program, filled with all of our attempts to make something out of what could have been nothing. “Look, I made a hat where there never was a hat.” - Stephen Sondheim
Have a terrific weekend!
Mike Barile, Principal
Carolyn Gbunblee, Associate Principal