CHSS Drama Club Pioneer in Presenting ‘Harry Potter and The Cursed Child: High School Edition’ in North Carolina
The First of Its Kind
BUXTON, NC – The Drama Club of Cape Hatteras Secondary School (CHSS) proudly declares its position as the first school in North Carolina to stage the production of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child: High School Edition. It was revealed in December of 2023 that CHSS Theater Arts class had entered a national contest by Broadway Licensing Global, aiming to be the first school in the state to produce this edition of the renowned J.K. Rowling saga.
Selection and Announcement
Blake Taft, the Drama Club Sponsor, was notified by Broadway Licensing Global in January 2024 that CHSS had been chosen to be the region’s pioneer in the production of the Harry Potter and The Cursed Child: High School Edition. This contest, launched in November 2023, required participating schools to develop a short video showcasing why their school was the most magical in their state. CHSS Theater students collaborated to create an original storyline, script, and produced the entire video during their fourth period class. Subsequently, their submission video was released, portraying the creativity and teamwork of the students.
A Journey of Growth
The Theater program of Cape Hatteras Secondary School has shown exponential growth over the past year. In 2022, community member Blake Taft and the English Department Chair, Jordan Tomberlin, brought the after-school program back to life after a four-year break. Since then, the program has seen remarkable achievements in its productions and fostered student engagement throughout the school.
Impact on Dare County Schools
On February 13th, 2024, a national press release, featuring Cape Hatteras Secondary School as the winner for North Carolina, was released. This win represents a notable accomplishment not only for the CHSS Theater Program, but also for all Dare County Schools, showcasing their ability to engage and motivate students in the performing arts.
About ‘Harry Potter and The Cursed Child’
‘Harry Potter and The Cursed Child’ is an original tale by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany. The story takes place 19 years after the events of the original book series and traces the friendship of Harry Potter’s son Albus and Draco Malfoy’s son Scorpius in their first year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The original West End production premiered in 2016, earning 11 Olivier Award nominations and winning nine, including Best New Play. Its Broadway iteration opened at The Lyric Theater in 2019 and garnered 10 Tony Award nominations, walking away with six, including Best Play.
Upcoming Productions
Currently, Cape Hatteras Secondary School is gearing up for their spring musical: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, set to open April 19, 2024. However, the anticipation is palpable for their pilot production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition which is scheduled to premiere on November 8th, 2024.
