By: Kara Haselton

Every spring, the Heritage Theatre department can be found viewing the sights and hearing the sounds of the city that never sleeps. Witnessing the professional world at work for a few days was exactly what Mr. Phoebus, the theater teacher, wanted his students to observe. “I want my students to be exposed to the professional world of performing arts in New York. I want them to see for themselves that it is accessible and possible and something they can strive for. They met former students of the senior class of Carnegie Mellon at 54 Below, and could recognize these people, who were just like them a few years ago, and who have now achieved what they were working towards.”

As Mr. Phoebus plans what his students will observe and experience, he says he tries to cover all the bases. “We attended live tapings, such as the live taping of The Chew, and Live! With Kelly and Michael. We saw television productions, several plays and musicals in the live theater, and went behind the scenes of the Radio City Musical backstage tour and talked with the head of production-it was fascinating. I just wanted them to have a chance to see all the different facets of the media and theater world.”

On the very first day there, they ate dinner at Bubba Gump’s, went to Times Square, and then saw Matilda at the “Shubert Theatre” and even met the cast of the show. On their second day, they went to the ABC Studios and attended the taping of Live! With Kelly and Michael and The Chew. Later on, they had dinner at Buca Di Beppo, and then watched A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at “Walter Kerr Theatre.” The next day they went to Good Morning America and then went to the “New York Movie Site Tour.” They had their dinner that day at the Hard Rock Cafe and went to see On The 20th Century at the “Roundabout Theatre Company”. By going to all these events, the students could achieve Mr. Phoebus’ intention of observing all the different forms of media and theatre at work.

When asked what she enjoyed the most, Brittany Phoebus replied, “My favorite part was when we saw Derrek Hough dancing.” Emily Phoebus agreed and added that, “We saw Corey and Philippe sing! It was amazing!” Jordan Niesel, who hadn’t been on the trip before, said, “I really loved seeing the Carnegie Mellon Showcase. I would love to go again!”

The people in the theatre class that went all had a great time going to New York. If you’re in or are interested in theatre, be sure not to miss this great opportunity Mr. Phoebus provides every year for Heritage students.