That’s the sound of West Anchorage Highschool theater students gearing up to bring Hadestown to life, hitting the big stage this weekend in downtown Anchorage.
West High’s theater program is gaining popularity after sold-out shows, but its future is uncertain as Anchorage School District faces a multi-million-dollar deficit and staff reassignments.
West’s theater director Brian Lyke found out he might be reassigned. Though teachers keep their jobs, the move puts the school’s theater program—and the students who chose West for it, in limbo.
“I heard the news that I was going to be displaced, I felt like a coldness wash over me,” said Brian Lyke, theater director at West High school in Anchorage.
Brian explains that some families specifically chose West High School for its theater program. He says it would be a huge loss, if it went away.
“Helped students find, confidence in themselves, in their ability to tell stories and find a community of likeminded, artists,” says Lyke.
These students are excited to be on stage this weekend and say their director behind the scenes is an important part of the show.
“I’m quite excited for it. Yeah. The one final hurrah for Hades Town. Not only is a good theater experience, but you get to know what theater is like,” said Robert P, a graduating senior.
“This really opens up far more doors than regular high school theater does. The Performing arts center is, it’s kind of like a ladder step. With the loss of Director Brian. Like we are also losing the entire theater community,” emphasized Azra Brand.
Hadestown will be performed at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts for one show only this Saturday night.