Have you ever been to a school play? Ever wondered how much it all costs to put on a show like that? It costs a lot and it is difficult without any school musical funding whatsoever.
The cost can be insane
Colonia High School theater department put on 2 productions every school year. The theater holds a Fall play and a Spring Musical. Not everyone knows how much it costs or what you have to take into consideration.
The director and advisor for the theater department at CHS is Stephanie Platko (Theater Arts teacher) is in charge of all things theater. Platko said, “For this production alone (Footloose) our rights and royalties plus our sound rental for the rehearsals is $4,300. Also for our actual productions we have to pay for musicians. We have to pay very little because we really cannot afford it. We pay four musicians at $400 each and most schools are twice that.” Platko also stated, “Our sound bill is $5,700 which is scary because we need a lot of microphones for this show.”
These prices have increased for a high school production and not everyone would guess such expensive prices. All together just those details alone the price is $11,600. It could be difficult for a department with no funding to put on a successful show with that kind of price. The directors help fund for the production and the best of the show out of their pockets.
School musical funding vs other funding
Young and talented CHS students perform in the school’s productions. These students put all their hard work into the shows and deserve to be able to have either the set or sound or even some T-shirts be funded for them.
A hardworking student and young actress McKaela Maye is very passionate about the Arts. She said, “ I think the productions would be a lot different if we were funded and I think it would be more high-tech and more people would be involved and highlighted more like they do basketball and football.” Not as many people are involved in a school musical than a football game. Not getting funding could be factor of that.
Arts are important to many
Maye was asked, “ How much does it bother you that sports get funding and theater doesn’t?” she responded, “ It actually bothers me a lot because I feel like people think sports is the only way in life other than actual education which theater or musical theater take a big role in. Music carries a big part in helping kids like all the kids who walk around with headphones in their ears.” The Arts are a big part and inspiration in these students’ lives. They want the best for their department and upcoming productions. The school gives the dedicated students on any sports team the funding they deserve. So why doesn’t anyone give the dedicated, hardworking students any school musical funding at all?
