Every two years, Arcadia High School’s (AHS) Advanced Theatre program takes a trip to New York City (NYC) for one week to watch Broadway Musicals and experience the heart of the theatre industry.
On the first day, the AHS students visited a musical theatre audition workshop at Pearl studios, where they trained in a variety of singing ranges to improve their musical auditioning skills. They trained with a professional Broadway actor and received insight on acting and singing choices.
“I was one of the five chosen to sing. It was a really unique and rewarding experience, and I learned a lot!” said junior Faith Huang.
The following days, AHS students visited the Museum of Broadway to learn about the history of Broadway, and they had a lot of freedom to explore. They observed NYC’s unique architecture and saw breathtaking views such as the Top of the Rock for the city lights.
“NYC truly lives up to its name of ‘The City that Never Sleeps’ because even late at night, the streets are so busy and never quiet,” said sophomore Max Young. “And the locals did NOT care about tourists. You could scream in the middle of the street, and no one would even turn their head—they treat it as an everyday occurrence. The traffic signs also felt like they were optional because both cars and pedestrians would go even if the light was red.”
According to AHS students, not only is NYC bustling with energy, it also boasts a lively and carefree cultural scene.
“The buildings are just rich with history and the architecture is just so beautiful. It was so enjoyable to walk around the city,” said Huang. “Everywhere we went, there was art on the walls, and theatres on every block. The streets were full of art and music. People were singing, dancing, painting, doing anything and everything everywhere. NYC was singing to me in every street and in every corner.”
AHS Advanced Theatre students also had the full Broadway experience, watching four shows in total: Gypsy, Hell’s Kitchen, Book of Mormon, and Little Shop of Horrors. They were each an unique experience. Gypsy was dramatic and emotional, while Book of Mormon was light and comedic. Hell’s Kitchen was a jukebox musical, and Little Shop of Horrors was off-Broadway.
“My favorite show was Little Shop of Horrors. Since this show was off-Broadway, it was in a little theatre, instead of the huge Broadway theatre. We got front row tickets to see Milo Manheim as Seymour and Liz Gillies as Audrey. I loved it because I thought it was really well casted, making it feel very real. It was also more personal because I got to see them perform up close in the front row. And since we were in a small theatre, it made it a unique and different experience from the other shows, which were performed in the big Broadway theatre,” said Young.
Junior Joaquin Moore, also favoring this musical, said, “My favorite was Little Shop of Horrors because it was an off-Broadway production, meaning it has fewer seats than the actual Broadway theatre. I enjoyed it more than the other productions because being off-Broadway, it was more of an intimate experience since it’s a smaller theatre, and I enjoyed the music and acting the best.”
“I’d have to say my favorite was either Hell’s Kitchen (the music, set, lighting, EVERYTHING was incredible, and I love Alicia Keys’s music) or Little Shop of Horrors (I got to see my king Milo Manheim and queen Elizabeth Gillies in person!!),” said Huang.
This trip was an incredible opportunity for AHS’s Advanced Theatre students to experience the center of the theatre industry, NYC. For decades, NYC has been a hub for theatrical creativity and production, with Broadway becoming the most prominent stage for theatre shows. This city is a place where many aspiring theatre artists get their start and where their careers are made. AHS’s students didn’t just see a place, they experienced the cultural institution that shapes and influences the world of theatre.
“There isn’t a day I don’t miss NYC, but I’m just so grateful I had the opportunity to go with my closest friends! It’ll definitely be an experience I’ll never forget,” said Huang.
