From Nov. 17-19, “Aladdin Jr.” became the first theatrical performance to be held in the Dr. Janet S. Pullen S.T.E.A.M. Center, following the opening of the facility in August. 

The center has already hosted a variety of events this school year, from Homecoming to speaker series, but the play was the first-ever major theater performance. The show’s run consisted of a total of six performances, split between two casts of 1st through 6th-grade students. 

Mrs. Jeannine Elisha, the Performing and Visual Arts Chair, described “Aladdin Jr.” as an “exciting challenge,” and although the production came with its share of learning curves, it was a massive success.

According to Elisha, The Pullen Center’s larger sets, professional microphones, stadium-style seating, and ample production space provided new opportunities for the show itself. The professional style dressing rooms? 

The change of venue also presented challenges for Elisha and the crew. 

“The main struggle was getting the children acclimated to a new space,” Elisha said. “Not having the professional lighting and curtains installed prior to the show.”

For this production, important aspects like lighting, curtains, and the sound system were put on hold due to measurement issues with the rigging. The students also weren’t used to the ample space, as previous productions were held in the Falcon Playhouse.

But for Elisha, the issues experienced during this first show were a learning experience. They show the staff what to fix and how to fix it. 

For example, for the next show, the plan is to hold rehearsals in the S.T.E.A.M. Center promptly, to get the cast used to the space. 

James Nicholson, who starred as Aladdin in Aladdin Jr, shared that the facility created an opportunity for greater “movement and dance,” an aspect the cast didn’t have when performing in the Falcon Playhouse. 

For Elisha, the future is bright for performances at the new S.T.E.A.M. Center. Having a space that matches the performances will be the key.  

“I have always been proud of our students’ performances, and now the set pieces and technical side can match them,” Elisha said. 

Upcoming spring shows at the S.T.E.A.M. Center are “Anastasia” and “Mary Poppins,” and will run in March and April.