SIS will debut its first-ever full-fledged musical this holiday season. Starbucks: The Musical will feature fifth grade students acting and singing on stage in the intermediate school cafeteria on December 17 at 6:00 p.m.
“Mrs. Hancock noticed how talented the fourth fraders were at their grade level programs last year and the animation they brought tho their reading in class and decided to approach me about offering musical theater to students,” SIS Music Teacher Alana Arias said. “We decided to partner together to give our SIS students another opportunity to grow and showcase their talents.”
In previous fine arts performances, SIS students have performed their musical learning on stage with some movement. However this new musical will be a complete student musical theatre experience.
“We decided on Starbucks as our musical because the holidays are a joyous time and we wanted to spread holiday cheer,” Arias said.
Fifth grade students auditioned for the show by memorizing and reading a script and singing a song. For the show, they will learn their parts, songs and choreography.
The musical is being funded by the Sunnyvale Education Foundation.
“Together, we applied for an SEF grant and all the money was used to purchase a subscription that had rights to this musical,” Arias said. “The subscription also offers other musical learning opportunities for our SIS students.”
Arias said that parents and community members will be needed to help with costuming and set designs.
She said musical theatre is important for students at this age for many reasons.
“Performing in musical theatre fosters creativity, self-expression, and it builds confidence in public speaking skill,” Arias said. “Musical theatre also encourages teamwork and collaboration. Participating in the arts can be an enjoyable outlet for student’s well-being.”