Production Staff

5 years ago

Mike Abel '11, Mike Korona '11, and Cam Cote '13   in the May 2011

MICHAEL BRAIDMAN, Advisor

Mr. Braidman has been teaching English at HRHS since 2003, and running the Drama Company since 2006. He was an active participant in his own high school’s drama company, as well as the Theatre Department at UMass Amherst, where he earned a BA in English and his teaching certification.  As Advisor to the Company, Mr. Braidman directs one production a year, oversees all other productions, and coaches Improvers Anonymous, the improvisational comedy troupe.

JOE LARKIN, Technical Direction & Design

Joe caught the theater bug in high school, and studied Theater Design with Jim Franklin at the University of Connecticut.  He has been involved in more than 30 productions, serving in various roles including actor, carpenter, director, electrician, master electrician, fly operator, lighting designer, puppet maker, set designer, stagehand, stage manager, technical director and even writer.  Joe enjoys working with the students at HRHS, and is quite happy that HRHS grads have gone on to their own study of theater in college. Joe has been serving as Technical Director for both Musicals and Drama Company Productions since 2009.

DAVID TRIPP, Technical Direction

Dave got involved with theatre through his daughter Nicole’s involvement with HRHS productions. Although Dave had no prior experience before his involvement at HRHS, under the tutelage of Joe Larkin his theatre experience and knowledge has expanded to include set building, carpentry, rigging, fly operation, set design, technical direction, and lighting. Dave has been working on Musicals and Drama Company productions at HRHS since 2015.

ABIGAIL RIVARD, Middle School Drama Instructor

Bio coming soon.

Seminars

5 years ago

Students work with Chester Theatre Company Artistic Director Byam Stevens.
Students work with Chester Theatre Company Artistic Director Byam Stevens.


The HRHS Drama Company provides a monthly opportunity for any HRHS student interested in theater to expand their knowledge of a specific branch of drama with the Seminar program. Guest artists and lecturers from the Pioneer Valley theater scene are brought in after school to lead a workshop in their specialty. Listen for announcements in school for details regarding future seminars.

 

Previous Seminar Topics:

   September 2013 - Character Development with Mr. Braidman and Lucas

   October 2013 - Sketch Comedy Writing with Paul Anthony Ita, local comedy writer of Side of Toast

  Comedy

   November 2013 - Audition Skills with Byam Stevens, Artistic Director of the Chester Theatre

  Company

   January 2014 - Costuming for Theater with Sika Berger, resident costume designer

   February 2014 - Improv with Mosie McNally, local comedian

   March 2014 - Directing with Sheila Siragusa, local director, theater professor at Smith and UMass

   April 2014 - Acting with Damian Ladd, professional actor

   June 2014 - Improv with Pam Victor, professional improv comedian

Improvers Anonymous
The 2013-2014 Improvers Anonymous group

Improvers Anonymous was founded in November of 2008 and features twelve talented young comedians in audience-suggested situations. The group, coached by HRHS Drama Company Advisor Michael Braidman, performs at the annual Improvisketchalogues, the annual library improv show in the winter, with other local improv comedy groups in the Alliance of Improv, and at many other performance opportunities in the academic year. Entrance to the group is audition-based, with auditions held on a yearly basis.

HRHS Main Stage
 From Improvisketchalogues 2

The HRHS Drama Company presents two Main Stage productions each school year. The Fall production is typically in late October or early November, and is directed by Mr. Braidman. These plays can range from comedy to drama to tragedy, with Shakespeare usually showing up every 2-3 years. The Spring production is usually a senior collaboration helmed by students who have earned the privilege to select a script, direct, design, etc., and is normally in the middle of May. Main Stage productions are cast by audition, and take place in the HRHS Auditorium. They can be presented either Proscenium-style or in a Black Box.

HRHS Main Stage

5 years ago

The HRHS Drama Company presents two Main Stage productions each school year. The Fall production is typically in late October or early November, and is directed by Mr. Braidman. These plays can range from comedy to drama to tragedy, with Shakespeare usually showing up every 2-3 years. The Spring production is usually a senior collaboration helmed by students who have earned the privilege to select a script, direct, design, etc., and is normally in the middle of May. Main Stage productions are cast by audition, and take place in the HRHS Auditorium. They can be presented either Proscenium-style or in a Black Box.

From the Fall 2012 Production

 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING   

Improvisketchalogues 2

 From Improvisketchalogues 2

  December 2008 

HRHS Drama Company
drama hall

The mission of the HRHS Drama Company is to provide all interested students with a variety of opportunities to perform, create and learn in a theatrical environment, to prepare its members for future success by developing theatre-related skills, and to present quality entertainment to HRHS and the surrounding community.