We’re raising funds for a brand-new microphone system, so every line, laugh, and lyric can be heard loud and clear! It’s time to turn up the volume on creativity and make sure our amazing students shine even brighter on stage.
Gunsmoke LIVE November 14-16 Adapted to the stage by Brian Lyke and Adam Mackie.
The classic western radio show brought to life in the West High Auditorium. Old-timey saloon music and live sound effects for your enjoyment.
Marshal Matt Dillon is in charge of Dodge City, a town in the wild west where people often have no respect for the law. He deals on a daily basis with the problems associated with frontier life: cattle rustling, gunfights, brawls, standover tactics, and land fraud. Such situations call for sound judgement and brave actions: of which Marshal Dillon has plenty.
70 minutes. Appropriate for all ages who can handle fake gun fights. Thurs-Sat @ 7pm. Sat Matinee @ 2pm.
Hadestown: Teen Edition February 13-15 Book, Music & Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell
This full-length Teen Edition of Anaïs Mitchell’s haunting, jazz-inflected folk opera follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice.
This intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. Following two intertwining love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and Lady Persephone – Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz, Mitchell’s beguiling sung-through musical pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love.
“Sumptuous… Gorgeous… As good as it gets… You wish you could live in the glowy moment forever.” – The New York Times
“Unforgettable. Simply one of the most exquisite works of musical storytelling I’ve seen in my more than 25 years as a theater critic. In its supple convergence of story and song, Hadestown represents a step forward for the art form.” – Los Angeles Times
Two-act with intermission. Approx. 135 minutes. Appropriate for anyone who likes a love story. Thurs-Sat @ 7pm. Sat Matinee @ 2pm
The NeverEnding Story September 26-28 Adapted by David S. Craig, Based on the novel by Michael Ende.
Hiding in the attic of his school, Bastian begins to read and, unseen to him, the story is enacted below. Fantastica, a land of stories, is in danger; The Nothing engulfs everything in its path. The Childlike Empress chooses an unlikely hero, Atreyu, a boy of Bastian’s age, to go on a quest to save their world.
Atreyu’s adventure takes him through the Swamps of Sadness, to Morla the Turtle, Ygramul the Many, and the maze of the Southern Oracle. He loses his horse, Artax, but gains the friendship of Falkor, the Luck Dragon. In this hero’s journey, Atreyu must face the werewolf Gmork who is bent on the destruction of all imagination itself.
Approx. 90 Minutes. Appropriate for all ages (but jeez, that horse scene is tough). Thurs-Sat @ 7pm. Saturday matinee @ 2pm.
Studying Theatre and Getting Excited
West High brings back an old favorite. Bring your K-6 students to West High for a Half Day or Full Day theatrical camp. Short workshops are taught by our fantastic high school performers and technicians. Students are introduced to everything from Acting and Voice, to Makeup and Improv!
Full-day and Half-day camp available. 9:00-3:30pm. Twice yearly. Next training is on Friday, October 18.
West Anchorage High School Theatre
Welcome to West Anchorage High School’s Theatre Department, the 2022 NFHS Performing Arts School of Excellence. Our program offers an exceptional theatrical experience for students. In fact, we think it offers the best high school theatrical experience in the State of Alaska. In any case, we have a lot of fun and work very hard on our productions. We operate out of one of the biggest and best venues in the state, the historical Anchorage High School Auditorium. So get involved with West Theatre! If you are a student, join Thespian Troupe #700, the oldest Thespian troupe in the State. If you are a parent, we need you in our Booster Organization. And if you just enjoy good clean family entertainment, come see our shows! Read more about our recent award!