Showing posts with label theater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theater. Show all posts

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Franklin High School Theater Company Reaches State Finals of METG Festival with Staging of 'The Yellow Boat'

Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Dr. Maria Weber are proud to congratulate the Franklin High School Theater Company for its moving performance of “The Yellow Boat,” as part of this year's competitive Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) festival.

The production, of a play based on the tragic story of a child with congenital hemophilia, reached the State Finals.

The 32 Franklin High School students, including cast and crew, staged “The Yellow Boat” in the State Finals at John Hancock Hall in Boston on March 28. The Franklin High School Theater Company was one of 15 groups to make the State Finals for the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival held by METG, out of 88 schools that entered the competition during the preliminary round.

The Franklin High School Theater Company performed the play "The Yellow Boat" as part of the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival held by METG, becoming one of 15 groups to make the State Finals out of 88 schools that entered. (Photo Courtesy Maggie Warren)
The Franklin High School Theater Company performed the play "The Yellow Boat" as part of the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival held by METG, becoming one of 15 groups to make the State Finals out of 88 schools that entered. (Photo Courtesy Maggie Warren)

The festival, which calls on each group to perform a 40-minute, one-act play, also includes a preliminary round and a semifinal round, with each stage judged by a team of METG Adjudicators. 

“It’s a real privilege to be with these kids. They are a really magical group,” said Franklin High School Drama Director Chloe Selznick, who is in her first year leading the program. “We’re all just very grateful. When we took group photos at the State Finals, instead of saying ‘cheese,’ the kids would say, ‘We weren’t supposed to be here!’ There’s a lot of gratitude within the company.”

Selznick, a 2020 Franklin High School graduate, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Hofstra University, said “The Yellow Boat” was influential to her years ago, and she thought the play would allow her students an opportunity for growth as well.

“The Yellow Boat” is the true story of Benjamin, who was born with congenital hemophilia, and died in 1987 at the age of 8 due to AIDS-related complications after receiving a blood transfusion. The play, published in 1997, was written by Benjamin’s father, David Saar.

“As heartbreaking as that is, Benjamin’s story wasn’t just defined by his illness,” Selznick said. “‘The Yellow Boat’ was a way to tell his story that was joyful, whimsical and childlike, and it was able to bring him to life. This made for a good artistic challenge for these young artists as they continue to grow as actors. I think they handled it wonderfully. They handled it in a way that’s sensitive but truthful.”

The reaction from the audience and judges included “a lot of tears,” she said.

“It felt nice to know that people were touched by the story in the same way that we had been,” Selznick said. “The judges' feedback was wonderful. It was nice to get feedback from people in the theater world. The kids really valued that as well.”

In addition to the State Finals, the Franklin High School Theater Company performed “The Yellow Boat” during the METG festival’s preliminary round on March 3 at Wayland High School and during the semifinals on March 15 at Framingham High School.

The Franklin High School Theater Company was assisted in its production of “The Yellow Boat” by Erin Ferreira, who came on as a volunteer to be the show’s movement director and assistant director. Franklin High School student Riley MacDonald served as the production’s dramaturg, providing classmates with a research package about “The Yellow Boat,” containing insight into the context of the play, showing how the story should be handled with sensitivity and truthfulness.

Throughout the METG festival, the Franklin High School students witnessed 25 plays staged by drama groups from other schools in the matter of a month.

“Most people won’t see one play in a year, let alone see that many,” Selznick said. “It was a real treat all around. It was a wonderful experience. There was a lot of support. Now, afterwards, there’s a lot of gratitude.”

The METG Festival is a prestigious annual event for high school theater companies, and this marked the 94th year of the competitive drama festival.

METG also has a middle school division and a musical theater division. In addition to the annual METG Festival held in March, the organization also facilitates a series of acting and technical theater scholarship contests held in December.

This experience with the METG Festival will provide some momentum for the Franklin High School Theater Company ahead of its next production, a musical called “Urinetown,” with showings planned for June 13-14.

Principal Weber and Superintendent Giguere congratulated the Franklin High School drama performers for their success in the METG Festival and wished them the best on their upcoming productions.

“We are so impressed by the incredible skills and abilities of our stage performers, crew and everyone involved with staging this play,” Principal Weber said. “They possess great individual talents and also display incredible teamwork. Bravo to our students for an incredible run in the METG Festival. And bravo to Director Selznick for the guidance she is providing to this talented group.”

“I’d like to congratulate all of our stage performers and crew members who really put their hearts into these shows,” Superintendent Giguere said. “Their passion, talent and skills are inspirational. They really did a great job with this play. I’d also like to recognize Director Selznick and our other teachers, along with parents and all of our Franklin High School Theater Company supporters, who help make all of this possible.”

Additional photos can be found where this was shared from ->   https://www.franklinps.net/article/2149677

You can also listen to my conversation with three of the members of The Yellow Boat performance -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/listen-to-how-fhstc-performance-of.html

Friday, April 11, 2025

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, April 11, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It ia available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, March 28, 2025
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, March 28, 2025

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events 


9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews



11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience



Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   


Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Friday, April 4, 2025

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, April 4, 2025

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It ia available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, March 28, 2025
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, March 28, 2025

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events 


9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews



11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience



Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   


Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

FHS Theatre Co to perform "Urinetown (The Musical)" in June

Via FHS Theatre Co 

FHS Theatre Co to perform "Urinetown (The Musical)" in June
"Urinetown (The Musical)" on June 13 & 14
"Urine good company in FHSTC’s audience, and our next production is no exception! On June 13th and 14th, FHSTC will be performing URINETOWN (The Musical) for our final production of the 2024-2025 season!
Looking to get more involved? Auditions are this wednesday at 2:15 in the FHS auditorium! for more information look at or join our google classroom (Code: LFPDOST)! We hope to see you there!
For more updates on this production, keep an eye out on all of our social media! We hope to see you in the audience in June!"

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

"The Yellow Boat sets sail, straight into the sun"

"As the run of The Yellow Boat comes to an end, we want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us on our journey. going to finals was such an amazing opportunity for all of us as a company, and we are forever grateful for it.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the production and to all of our all star award winners!

Onto the next one. ALWAYS. 💙💛❤️

Stay tuned for more updates on what we’re doing next!!!"



If you haven't already, you can listen to the conversation with Eden, Aiden, and Ginny here ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/listen-to-how-fhstc-performance-of.html

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Listen to how the FHSTC performance of the Yellow Boat got to sail to the State Finals (audio)

FM #1413 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1413 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with key members of the Franklin High School Theatre Co’s production of The Yellow Boat.

  • Virginia Bernstein (Ginny)

  • Eden Donovan

  • Aiden Sheppard


We had our discussion in person in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, March 24, 2025. 

 

We do a round of introductions so they can provide some info about themselves then we get into talking about

  • Theater and what it means to them

  • The impact of the budget cuts and the recovery with “Yellow Boat”

  • The production process (auditions, casting, rehearsals, etc.)

  • Competition (on the road vs. hosted)

  • Learning and sharing key aspects of life with the performance


The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1413-fhs-theatre-co-yellowboat-03-24-25/


--------------


Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild (METG) schedule for finals

https://metg.org/high-school-festival/2025-finals.html 


The finals will be announced Saturday, March 29 beginning at 8 PM



Origin Theatrical link to The Yellow Boat

https://origintheatrical.com.au/work/8527 


Follow the FHS Theatre Co on Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/fhstc/


-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Listen to how the FHSTC performance of the Yellow Boat got to sail to the State Finals (audio)
Listen to how the FHSTC performance of the Yellow Boat got to sail to the State Finals (audio)



Sunday, March 23, 2025

Pantherbook: "FHS Theatre Company Moves on to the State Finals"

"On Saturday, March 15, at Framingham High School, The Franklin High School Theatre Company performed David Saar’s The Yellow Boat, in The Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild (METG) High School Theatre Festival, a state-wide theatre competition, where they were selected to move on to the state final round! 

This is the first time Franklin High School has been to the State Finals in over a decade. 


Of 15 finalists, 3 will be chosen as winners and 2 will be selected to move on to the New England Drama Festival"

Continue reading the article at Pantherbook -> https://sites.google.com/franklinps.net/pantherbook/arts-entertainment/fhs-theatre-company-moves-on-to-the-state-finals-of-the-metg-high-school-th?authuser=0 

Pantherbook: "FHS Theatre Company Moves on to the State Finals"
Pantherbook: "FHS Theatre Company Moves on to the State Finals"

Friday, March 21, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, March 21, 2025 ???

Friday, March 21

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->      https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false
For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->     
https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false
* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

7:00pm Jennifer Tefft (live music) (Kennedy's Restaurant & Market, Marlboro)

7:00pm An Evening of Short Plays (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:30pm FPAC: Mel Brooks "The Producers" (THE BLACK BOX)


** NO Town Meetings today   **


-------------


Why are there multiple calendars?
What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link
The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

Monday, March 17, 2025

The Yellow Boat continues to sail to the State Finals

"THE YELLOW BOAT IS SETTING COURSE FOR STATE FINALS!!!!  
The Yellow Boat continues to sail to the State Finals
The Yellow Boat continues to sail to the State Finals

 

We are so excited and grateful for this opportunity as we move forward in 2025 Dramafest. Congratulations to all of our cast, crew, and All Star Award winners for an amazing performance!!  

 

See you at finals!"
The Yellow Boat continues to sail to the State Finals 2
The Yellow Boat continues to sail to the State Finals 2




Shared from ->

Monday, March 3, 2025

The Yellow Boat continues to sail!


The Yellow Boat is changing course to sail its way to Semi-finals!!

After an amazing and successful day at Wayland Highschool (courtesy of our lovely hosts @whs.te ) FHSTC is taking our production of The Yellow Boat further into the competition!



Congrats to the cast, crew, and All-Star Award winners!
Want to come see this award winning show?


Make your way to the FHS auditorium on March 14th at 7 PM to see our second and FINAL benefit show.

More updates to come on the semi-final round, and where FHSTC will be taking this show.