AISD Students Head to New York to Perform in Off-Broadway Production Thanks to Drama Teacher

The young thespians will experience “the bright lights and the big city” later this year.

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[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]T[/dropcap]he cast has been selected. Now, these lucky students countdown the months before their New York adventure this summer. The thespians will perform in an Off-Broadway play and tour the city.

The students will perform in the two-act play Twisted Olympus written by Adam Brandner. He is the drama teacher at [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Shotwell Middle School. Brandner will direct the show in August.

Twisted Olympus is a fast-paced saga about four gods that dwell on Mount Olympus. They get sent to Earth where they find themselves trapped in Hollywood 1965. Stuck in time, the gods open their minds to teamwork, social injustice and mortal happiness. Brandner stated his comedy bursts with over top personalities. Theatergoers will enjoy meeting the twisted characters that are bound to entertain.

Brandner used his New York contacts to secure a summer slot at one of the Off-Broadway theaters owned by Roy Arias Studios.

The play was cast in September 2015 and will begin rehearsals in June 2016. Students from several AISD high schools and from Shotwell Middle School comprise the cast.

Cast & Crew of “Twisted Olympus”

[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Carver HS
Elysa Aguilar
Yamir Ellis
Ahreon Holly
Kirby Jackson

[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Davis HS
Remerica Earl
Rubi Ramos
Queen Royal
Ashley Salmeron
Huan Tran

Eisenhower HS
Moises Ancira
[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Catherine Ewing
Emily Luong
Javarhea Thompson

MacArthur HS
[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Denisse Córdova

Nimitz HS
Antonio Leos Jr.

Shotwell MS
Jardon Brown
Anthony Christopher
Xavier Coronado
Javion Cox
Chris Galaviz
Alissa Moore
Katelyn Simmons

Victory Early College HS
[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Jocelyn Tovar (Shotwell MS alumna)

(*A few more students will possibly be added to the crew in the next few weeks.)

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Students involved in drama outperform peers. They [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]outscored non-arts students on the SAT in the verbal and math components.

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The trip will take place Aug. 8-12. The students will perform at [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]777 Theatre. Opening night is Aug. 10.

While in New York, the AISD students will take a college tour and will take in a few sights. They will also have the opportunity to see a Broadway musical or two.

“The students’ excitement is high,” said Brandner. “They can’t wait to get started this summer.”

Stars in Their Eyes

Brandner and the students are working to raise the funds necessary to cover the cost of the flight, stay and basic necessities. The students have been selling candy. At a recent Saturday fundraising event, the students raised $600. Brandner is also applying for grants. The actors are all positive and determined to make the the experience happen. One of those thespians is eighth grade student Anthony Christopher.

“Honestly, I’m ecstatic to have the chance to go to New York City,” said Anthony. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m glad to be a part of. The entire cast is incredible and Mr. Brandner’s play is out of this world!

“I’ve never had the chance to leave Texas so going to New York is one of the most exciting things to ever happen to me. I want to attend The Juilliard School when I’m older. This show will look great on my college application. I can’t wait to show the professional Broadway community what we can do!“

Individuals interested in helping the AISD students get to Broadway can contact Stacey Smith at (281) 985-7554. Smith is the program director of resource development.

Break a leg everyone!

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[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Shotwell Middle is an [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]International Baccalaureate World School. Aldine ISD offers the entire IB continuum — Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program and Diploma Program.

Carver HS made U.S. News & World Report‘s Best High Schools in the U.S. 2015 rankings. The magnet school focuses on engineering, applied technology and the arts. The campus also made [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Niche’s rankings.

Eisenhower HS made U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools in the U.S. rankings. The campus is also an IB World School. The campus also made [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Niche’s rankings.

[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]MacArthur made U.S. News & World Report’s Best High School 2015 Rankings. The National Center for Urban School Transformation recognized MacArthur in 2013. The campus has also received recognition from the National Center for Educational Achievement. MacArthur also made Niche’s Top 100 High Schools in Houston.

[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Nimitz made [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]U.S. News & World Report‘s High School 2012 Rankings.

Victory Early College HS gives AISD students an opportunity to get ahead. Students can complete two years of college credit. The campus made Newsweek’s top 500 U.S. schools ranking. Victory ECHS also earned recognition in U.S. News & World Report‘s high school rankings. The campus also ranked in Niche’s Top 100 Best High Schools in the Houston area. The campus is a 2015 Blue Ribbon School.