Pioneer Field Trip - Come From Away (May 6th)

Hey Team - 

We have the next of the pioneer field trips coming up on May 6th to see the musical Come From Away. This is my FAVORITE musical!  There is a content warning for strong language and mature themes. Please look up a synopsis to be sure you would like to attend. We will leave at 1pm sharp and return between 5:30-6pm pending traffic. 

Those who have already purchased group package tickets from last year get first dibs. We need to be on top of permission forms, so they will be due by Monday 27th by 2:45pm. If you have the package and are not planning to go, please let me know ASAP - by April 24th would be helpful. The sooner the better for me to know! CHECK AP TESTING SCHEDULE - I have these two tests listed at the same time, so if that's you you'll have to miss this one: Comparative Government and Politics Physics 1: Algebra-Based.

If you ARE going, please get this permission slip signed and returned by the 27th. You can print the one link below and sign it OR come get a hard copy from me next week. I will have hard copies available on the 20th (after state). If you are someone who did NOT pre-purchase a package last year, extra tickets will go on sale in the office after the 27th.  You must email me THEN and claim a spot! Please do not email me until April 27th.  You will need to pay $10 in the office and turn in the receipt WITH the permission form to finalize your spot. 

Thanks! 

 - Struiks 

P.S. If parents are interested in attending as a chaperone they need to EMAIL me asap- I will only have a couple spots for this one as some chaperones are already filled.

Permission Form Link

Student-Directed One-Acts (SDOAs) 2026 Info and Audition Packets!

 Hey all! 

SDOA auditions are coming up on April 20th and we are excited to have you all come and get involved! This is an opportunity for the younger class (freshman-juniors) to audition for the 10-minute, senior-directed shows and have an incredible bonding and acting experience in just three weeks. Our seniors have applied and been chosen as your directors with some awesome, fun shows and ideas. Below is a list of shows and directors for you to look over as you choose and prepare your monologues. 

Remember you will be considered for ALL shows unless otherwise marked in your audition packet and then assigned to the one you are cast in by the directors. Check out the descriptions below and links to the packet.  Hard copies of the packet are already in the Little Theatre on the call-board as is the signup for an audition time slot! 

Directors: Kaylee Cannon and Taylor Fairbourn 

SHOW: Pareidolia

4 college students gather around a park bench and have a petty argument about shapes in the clouds. Although the conversation begins harmless, it soon spirals into deeper debates about perception, perspective, and personal values. The play causes us to ask the question: Are we aware of our own flaws and patterns?

Directors: Alyssa Read and Niv Raz

SHOW: Loyalties

Two couples, Rudy and Monika, and Jacob and Katrin, are having a celebratory birthday dinner for Monika, and things start to get tense as we slowly see that Rudy and Monika directly support the Nazi party and Jacob and Katrin are against it. They have an argument about what it means to be patriotic and what the difference is between that and blindly following a country's actions.

Directors: Braden Mark and Molly Smart

SHOW: Mom's Kitchen

A restaurant where they treat you like they’re your mother! The only problem is that Bill is not the biggest fan of his mother, and his date, Betty, is not impressed. Will ‘Mom’ be able to rein him in or will the whole date end in disaster?

Director: Layna Johnson

SHOW: Totally Basic Defenders

Totally basic defenders is a comedic show about a group of underwhelming superhero’s who take themselves way too seriously. When a ridiculous villain professor Zapbolts threatens the world with a “rabies ray” (which is actually just a hairdryer), the team must step up to stop him. Despite their barely useful powers, they somehow managed to save the day through teamwork, luck, and a lot of awkward effort.

Directors: Cara Barnes and Leah Memmott 

SHOW: Sorry, Wrong Number

One lonely evening, Mrs. Agnes Stevenson attempts to call her loving husband Elbert to see when he’ll be home. However, the operator connects her incorrectly, and she overhears a murder plot for that very night. Will she find help before it’s too late?

Directors: Chloe Hinman and Madison Jones

SHOW: The Will

A historical comedy about a family who reads their will of their father after his death. However, there’s a catch - they get to decide who the inheritance goes to and along with that who has to take care of the mother.

PACKET LINK HERE -- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iRu_QrxTANkCNdIG0RxKzW5Y57EAwDxrTkkxrg8VyqE/edit?usp=sharing 

AMelie Teen Edition Auditions - UFOMT

A MESSAGE FROM Utah Opera (UFOMT) and the High School Musical Theatre Association: 

"We are thrilled to announce UFOMT will be producing a production of Amélie: Teen Edition cast entirely of students from the Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards."

This production will perform in July in Logan, Utah at the Utah Theatre. Virtual rehearsals will begin at the end of April. We thought this opportunity would accomplish our goal of bringing talented students from across the state to create art together, work with professionals, and elevate each other in the process.

Attached is the paperwork students need to submit their audition package. Audition packets (including video submissions) are due April 20 @ 11:59 PM MST. We would love to see you audition! 

Here is a promo video about their last experience doing this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6sufZ5fTWg 

Amelie Application: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1caXNUhzpguKMqg9i49fOXH_wfV_NrC4W/view?usp=sharing 

Amelie Application Check-List: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d_JoIUutGM7u1ReD_xSH5g11F2Wa7TqA/view?usp=sharing 

Please email Vanessa Ballam with any questions: vanessa@ufomt.org 

PTGW Recording Reminder and Last Call!

 Hi everyone!

This is a final reminder/last call to order a recording of The Play That Goes Wrong (recordings for both casts are on the same USB drive)!

Make sure to fill out the form linked HERE to order a recording.

In addition to filling out the form, you will need to pay $25 in the office and bring me (Cline) the receipt in order to receive your USB drive with the recording.

The recordings are ready (shout out to Drew McKay - please thank him when you see him).  You can pick them up in my room (2313); remember to bring your receipt!

Feel free to swing by with any questions :)

-Cline

State Team 2026

It's that time again... STATE IS UPON US! 

Here is the link for the State Coaching Signups: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q6ne0T3uiuGdMnqWZLRcbtA3vkD99AI_pq-SYcH2_b0/edit?usp=sharing 

Please note that TUESDAY, APRIL 14TH is a FULL TEAM DAY!  Please meet in the Little Theatre directly after school and get into costume by 2:45pm.  That is the ONLY Team Day before State.  Otherwise, hit it hard and USE COACHING SPOTS!  We have them for a reason and we want you 100% confident at competition. 

Notes about State Date -- > 

  - It will be held at Brighton High School on Saturday, April 18th.  Plan to be gone ALL DAY.  We will leave around 7:00am that day with a specific time TBD when we know the start time for first round. 

 - There will be food trucks there to feed you (8 options) or you can bring your own meals with you. I would being snacks for sure and a water bottle. 

 - We will be back to the school likely between 5:00-5:30pm. We will unload the bus and then head home from there. 

 - Please keep up your grades between now and then and be sure you are eligible with attendance and tardy marks! 

 - Please email with other question.  This is a GREAT day and so much fun, so we want you to have what is needed in advance. Proud of our whole team for MAKING STATE!  

LET'S GO GET EM'! 

Region Dinner: Parent Help Needed!

 I am in need of 4-5 parents willing to help sell pizza slices, chips, candy and soda on the evening of Region Theatre at Alta High School - March 19th. We typically sell everything for $1 and it's really easy and a great way to support the students as they compete. I will pre-order pizza and have already obtained snacks, treats, and drinks so it would mean setting out the goodies and someone picking up the pizzas from Costco and then bringing them to Alta as Cline and I (Struiks) will be running/hosting the competition. Then, you would stay through dinner time 5:30-7:15pm to sell the food to all schools. 

If you are willing to sell or pick up pizzas please email me ASAP and a sincere and advanced Thank You! Afterward you would be free to leave or stay and watch the awards ceremony with our team. Please reach out if you can help!

Struiks' Email: linze.struiksma@canyonsdistrict.org 

Final Region & State Competition Team 2026!

Congratulations to all of you and your hard work these past few weeks!  I was very pleased to see so much growth on everyone's region piece and can't wait to keep working with you the next two weeks to get things ready for competition. I wish we could take all of you to compete.  It was really difficult to make some of the cuts needed, but I wanted to let those who are not on this final list know that you are still a part of team and valued!  It came down to fractions of points- please reach out for individual feedback as desired AFTER tomorrow. Those on the list, you are expected to seek feedback by Tuesday. 

Even if not on this list, you are welcome to attend region and cheer on the team/help as needed.  If you do not wish to do so, please just let me know by next Tuesday (3/10) and I will remove you from the excusal list. 

REMINDER:  Grades for Term 3 MUST be eligibility approved.  You must have a 2.5 or above and no more than 1 F on the final grades... plus, you must have attendance in shape.  If this is NOT the case it will disqualify from you from State and you MUST be eligible for region AND state to compete.... KEEP GRADES UP STARTING NOW! 

Also, below are important date reminders AND your group numbers for those moving on to the competitive rounds.  You should use these instead of your names and school in the slate starting tomorrow- do NOT use your names and school at competition and PLEASE practice slates ahead of time.

Important Dates:

Team Days - 

 - 3/6 (tomorrow) TECH CHECK after school AND Optional Work Day - I will be checking all of your projects and going over how to present your material. Have your projects with you TOMORROW!  You will present your projects for judging on March 18th at Olympus HS, so you will need to bring everything with you that day. Actors, seniors will be around to check in, hang out and help as needed from 12:30-3pm.  Come get to know each other and work on your piece as you'd like!

 - 3/13 TEAM DAY at 1:00pm till 3:00pm in the Little Theatre - costumes optional, but encouraged. 

- 3/16 TEAM DAY at 2:30pm till 4:30pm in the Little Theatre; costumes mandatory!  

Competition Date - 

- 3/18 One-Act Competition Day at Olympus High School.  We will meet in the PAC between 6:30-6:40am and then load the bus to leave by 6:45am with ALL costume pieces.  Set pieces will be loaded the night before and taken to Olympus. We will head to Olympus HS and spend the day there.  We will return between 4:30-5:00pm. IF any of the IE team would like to attend to watch the One-Acts and cheer on the team you are welcome to do so.  You will be there all day and need to ride the bus with us.  If you want to claim a spot, please let Struiks know by this coming Tuesday (3/10) before 3pm. 

- 3/19 Region IE Competition Day at Alta HS! You will be there that evening until around 9pm, so plan accordingly. You will be called from class at 1pm for set-up, changing, warm-ups, etc. and then rounds begin at 3:00pm sharp. Please plan to be there the ENTIRE time for all rounds you compete and awards. We WILL sell pizza, chips, candy, and drinks for $1 each that evening. BRING CASH or your own meal! 

You CAN rehearse on other days - and SHOULD.... recall someone is here after school most days according to the list Struiks made for y'all.  Reminder - plan to get picked up most days by 4:30pm. 

Below are the numbers and final casting - again, we wish we could take everyone! 

Costume Design 

G-801	Mya Didericksen	Pirates of Penzance
G-802	Reagan Buchmiller	Nerdy Prudes Must Die

Set Design

G-901

Millie Rawson

Humorous Monologues

G-101	Layna Johnson
G-102	Braden Mark
G-103	Mya Didericksen
G-104	Avilyn Macey

Dramatic Monologues

G-201	Niv Raz
G-202	Cara Barnes
G-203	Kali Kaufusi
G-204	Clara Neal

Pantomime

G-501	Josie Heward	Maizy Murphy
G-502	Taylor Boudreau	Newell Francom
G-503	Jane Wilkins	Stella Voorhees
G-504	Addilyn Covington	Jacob Wilson

Classical Scenes

G-301	Maisy Stevens	Audrey Grace Grigg
G-302	Jett Smith	Rosie Luxem
G-303	Lillian Nani	Ario Baghai
G-304	Heidi Christensen	Marquesa Millikin

Contemporary Scenes 

G-401	Remy Parker	Emiline Johnson
G-402	Chloe Hinman	Molly Johnson
G-403	Izzy Ragonese	Hallee Wasden
G-404	Brynlee Trout	Sofia Eyzaguirre

Musical Theatre 

G-601	Leah Memmott	Kaylee Cannon
G-602	Alyssa Read
G-603	Shelby Betenson
G-604	Taylor Fairbourn

One Act: Red Bike (Theatre 4 w/ tech crew)

G-701

Red Bike

Region and State Team Announcements!

Hey Team! Here are some announcements for this coming week. Please email Miss Struiksma with any questions! 

1) This and next week on Monday and Wednesday we have one-act rehearsal for seniors in the little theatre. Thus we will need to use the PAC lobby for other coaching rehearsals and spread out in there. Dancers may be around too, but we can definitely have enough space for all. Just wanted you to be aware that is where to go for your coaching after you grab your things! If you have NOT signed up with coaches yet, pantomimes, you need to do so this week.

2) We have a mandatory team day and challenge round day on Thursday the 5th. We will meet at 2:45 in the little theatre, but all should get into costumes before then. Plan to be there between 4:30-5pm.

3) We have optional rehearsal and team socials on Tuesday (2:30-4:30pm) and Friday (12:30-3pm) in the Little Theatre! Please come to one (or both) if you can for even part of the time!

4) We have 2.5 weeks till we compete here at Alta on March 19th. Let’s hit it hard and really go for it- let’s take Region for the 8th straight year!

5) Seniors in Theatre 4, please come fully memorized and ready to go tomorrow after school.  Bring scripts with you every day! We need to talk tomorrow about who will help us get our materials to Olympus... can you please ask parents one more time?  (Cara, let's chat!) Also, please bring costume stuff on TUESDAY. 

Thank you all and excited to tackle this competition season with you! 

PTGW Promo Trailer & Production Recording Order Form

 Hi folks!

1. Below is the youtube link to the promo video that Drew McKay created for The Play That Goes Wrong!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UeQ4JzEIxo

Please send this to family and friends and/or post it on your socials with a credit to Drew!

You'll also be seeing the promo video created by awesome members of our Theatre Council - please share that one too - how lucky are we to have such awesome promotional footage?!

PS - As pictures are edited and sent to me I will link them using the blog

2. HERE is the link for ordering recordings of The Play That Goes Wrong!  This will work really similarly to Hadestown orders.  You or your parent/guardian will fill out the linked form and pay the $25 fee to the office.  Then, you'll need to turn in the receipt to me.  The order form must be filled out by April 1st.  You will receive the recordings on a USB drive (both casts shows will be on each drive).

So proud of y'all and excited for our show this week!!!

Region and State Workshopping Sign up!

 Hey Team! 

A few quick notes to our region and state folks...

REHEARSALS FOR REGION & STATE: A lot of rehearsals will be scheduled by YOU, but I expect you are practicing at least twice a week starting now.  Regarding coaches, please work to sign up with at least one person a week and have one day you either work with your peer coach or on your own. 

I have compiled a list of times you can sign up to work with outside coaches on your Region and State pieces.  My request is to sign up with someone at least 3-4 times before Region (March 19th).  There are SO many options, so please utilize them and make this worth our judges time.  If no one is signed up for them the morning of, they will not be attending that rehearsal time. 

READ THROUGH THE NOTES ON THIS LINK, PLEASE!

Here is the Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qlLIGz4pgBoTNY2kR-VSPlyQWMOVUjuJPKfNfqXbvYM/edit?tab=t.0 

LET'S GO TEAM! 

Some notes to remember for team:

Please note the dates of competition: March 19^th  for Region and April 18^th for State.  These are, of course, mandatory!  Region will take place here at Alta High School (leave class around 1pm and be wrapped by around 9pm) and State will be at  Brighton High School (7:30am-5pm). 

Challenge Rounds for Region will take place on March 5th. This is a mandatory team day and all will be there from 2:30-5pm.  We will talk with those groups we need to sign up for a time that day and those groups that will be there to work on their pieces and provide feedback for others. 

Other Team Days: March 13th and March 16th for Region and April 14th for State

Stage Technology Class 2026-2027 (Tech)

To any students interested in Stage Tech for the upcoming year (2026-2027), please see the link below for the recommendation form:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Juhi5HtBNkJcmV9YpuESjBIE2bzm2Z9L9gYcYNnjGgM/edit?usp=sharing 

Three teachers should complete a form and at least two should be core subject teachers.  Please have teachers get these back to me by March 23rd, 2026 and I will email the student after this time - please do NOT bring the form to me yourself, but have teacher's send it to me. Your teachers can place it in my mailbox if at Alta.  If not at Alta, they can mail it to me directly, send through district mail, OR scan and email it to me. 

*If you are CURRENTLY in Stage Tech for the 2025-2026 year, you do NOT need to have teachers complete these forms.  I will be talking with each of you next month. Thank you! 

2026 Region & State: Team List and Announcements!

Hey Region/State Team!

PLEASE read this whole email - I decided this may be the easiest way to provide information to you about Region and State, but will also ask everyone to join the Remind for this year's team.  The info will be posted on the callboard and white board in the Little Theatre by Wednesday afternoon. 

Here it is --> Text @region2026 to 81010 

A reminder that we will do first check-ins on January 29th from 4-5:30pm. Your piece does not need to be perfect, but put together and an honest first draft so I can help get you ready. Theatre 3 and 4 students will begin sign-ups in class that day.  Please fill those spots first - it's the same day and will help with time. You will see all options for sign-ups sheet below, so hop on and claim a spot for you (or you and your partners).  You will put your name(s), approx run time (you can plug it in by next Tuesday), and category/title of piece. You MUST be signed into your CSD DOCS email to signup - check that before requesting access - you SHOULD already have it. Below is the sign-up link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16oJ_GZXD2Wz5hVfEK9j5oZvaDTzps1RgYnp9pHOIiiU/edit?usp=sharing 

Below is our Team List, followed by your assignments for Senior Coaches and "Littles."  If you decided as a "little" you don't want to do it, or do and didn't say, please email Struiks by Friday the 23rd. If needed the other important dates are listed at the bottom of this email.  SO excited to start competition season with you! 

*Also, if you need help getting a certain set piece, prop or costume piece we don't have, please let me know ASAP and I will find it for you. 

 - Struiks

2026 Region and State Competition Team!

Musical Theatre

Leah Memmott and Kaylee Cannon – I Wanna Go Back from The Notebook

Alyssa Read – I Never Knew His Name from Civil War

Taylor Fairbourn – Come Back from Dogfight  

Shelby Betenson – Lost in the Brass from Band Geeks

 

Dramatic Mono

Niv Raz – Angels in America by Tony Kushner  

Cara Barnes – Lost Girl by Kimberly Belflower

Ruby Swallow – Nuts by Tom Topher  

Kali Kaufusi – Hopscotch by Israel Horovitz

Izzy Walbeck – War Brides by Marion Craig Wentworth

Clara Neal – The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer

 

Comedic Mono

Maddie Jones – Papers by Allan Stratton

Layna Johnson - The Wedding Reception - by Alesia C Etinoff

Braden Mark – The World at Absolute Zero by Sherry Kramer 

Mya Didericksen –

Avi Macey – Do You Ever Feel Anger by Mara Nelson

Reagan Buchmiller – Dags by Deborah Oswald

 

Classical Scenes

Maisy Stevens and Audrey Grace Grigg – Trojan Women by Euripides

Jett Smith and Rosie Luxem – Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Lillian Nani and Ario Baghai – A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde

Heidi Christensen and Marquesa Millikin – A Country Wife by William Wycherly

 

Contemporary Scenes

Emiline Johnson and Remy Parker – The Vahz by Mandy Mershon

Chloe Hinman and Molly Smart – Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson

Izzy Ragonese and Hallee Wasden – John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower

Brynlee Trout and Sofia Eyzaguirre - Final Placement by Ara Watson

 

Pantomime (titles TBD)

Addi Covington and Jacob Wilson

Jane Wilkins and Stella Voorhees

(Walker) Taylor Boudreau and Newell Francom

Josie Heward and Maizy Murphy

 

Technical Theatre - we CAN add here if anyone would like to!

Reagan Buchmiller – Costume Design

Emiline Johnson– Costume Design

Mya Didericksen – Costume Design

Millie Rawson – Set Design

SENIOR COACHES and LITTLES Assignments!

Dramatic Mono

Kali – Chloe and Avi

Clara – Jacob

 

Comedic Mono

Mya – Kaylee and Remy

Avi – Shelby and Hallee

 

Classical Scenes

Maisy and Audrey Grace – Cara and Emiline

Heidi and Marquesa – Layna and Sofia

Jett and Rosie – Ruby and Ella

Ario and Lilly – Niv and Izzy R. 

 

Contemporary Scenes

Emiline and Remy  - Alyssa and Brynlee

Izzy R and Hallee  - Taylor and Jeffrey

Brynlee and Sofia – Leah and Mya

 

Pantomime

Addi and Jacob – Maddie and Izzy W.

Jane and Stella – Molly

Josie and Maizy – Braden and Clara

Taylor and Newell – Reagan and Addi C.

Senior Check-in Buddies:

Leah – Niv

Kaylee - Cara

Alyssa - Chloe

Taylor – Braden

Shelby - Maddie

Ruby – Molly

Izzy W – Reagan

Layna – Jacob

IMPORTANT DATES:

Thursday, 3/5 from 2:30 - 5 pm = Team Day (Challenge Day as Needed)

Friday, 3/13 from 1- 3 pm = Team rehearsal day

Monday, 3/16 from 2:30 - 5:00 = Team rehearsal day

Thursday, 3/19 all afternoon and evening = REGION COMPETITION AT ALTA!!!

Tuesday, 4/14 from 2:30 - 5 pm = Team rehearsal Day

Saturday, 4/18 all day = STATE COMPETITION at Brighton!

Play That Goes Wrong - Tech Team List!

 I am thrilled to announce our tech team for The Play That Goes Wrong!!! These folks have already been working on getting the set built and I am so proud of them and excited to celebrate the positions they've earned with this production!

Floor Technicians: Ella Eliason, Racer Buchmiller, & Rylan Thomas

Sound Assistant: Reagan Buchmiller

Head Sound Technician: Jaz Brimhall

Lighting Assistant: Annika Phelps

Head Lighting Technician: Layna Johnson

Assistant Stage Managers: Shelby Betenson & Millie Rawson

Stage Manager: Ollie Kassing

A huge congratulations to y'all!  Technicians, you can find our rehearsal calendar HERE.  Please note that we are going to start laying the set on Thursday, 1/29 from 2:45 - 4:00 pm and Saturday, 1/31 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.  Please plan to attend those rehearsals.  Email me by this Friday if you have a conflict for either day.  Lastly, please fill out the contact info sheet HERE.

Musical Theatre Showcase Announcements and Reminders!

Hey all!

A reminder that this coming week is the big performance week!  We will have the Musical Theatre Showcase at 6pm on Tuesday night in the PAC.  This is a great opportunity to support your peers and get some extra credit in theatre classes for attending the showcase. It is free and again, starts at 6pm sharp! 

Those in the class and my techs on the event, a few reminders:

Please take time the next two days to just review your dances and music so we are ready for Monday.  You will need to bring ALL under-clothing and costumes needs on Monday, including your sneakers and jeans. We will meet in the PAC auditorium at 2:30pm, right after school on Monday the 5th.  Please also BRING FOOD AND WATER - bring some dinner and snacks to have as we will be there until 7pm.  We will be done by then, so please have parents and guardians plan that time for pick-up. Remember, this rehearsal DOES count toward your grade and you must be there for that full time for full points.  Techs, same for you! 

 On Tuesday, our call time is 4:30pm sharp.  We will warm-up, test mics, and get our energy up for a show start time of 6pm. Please remind families and friends to be on time to come support!  I am so excited to show them all we have been working on! :)  

- Struiks