Do you have a young actor, musician, or singer in the house? A dancer? A budding techie? Set painter?

One third of all MHS students are involved in the performing arts. Many have won state, regional, and national awards for the quality and creativity of their work. But the high school is an awfully big place, and it’s hard for even the most dedicated parents to discover and guide their students toward activities that will help their talents blossom.

Did you know that your student can…

Play in our orchestra, band, or jazz band—or showcase rock band talents at local open-mic nights?

Sing in four a cappella groups and multiple choral programs, ranging from classical to gospel?

Act, crew, sing, or dance in our ambitious yearly musical?

Collaborate in a play as part of Dramafest, a statewide drama competition?

Dance on the MHS Dance Team?

Qualify for the national Tri-M Music Honor Society?

Take classes in theater, the history of music, guitar, and more?

Apply for grants to fund new performing arts projects?

Earn college scholarships based on their performing arts involvement?

Join our community, Friends of the Performing Arts.

We need you. FoPA’s fundraising and volunteer efforts help make these opportunities a reality. We hold monthly meetings for interested parents, provide volunteer assistance behind the scenes at performing arts events, and offer a relaxed, enjoyable way to support our students.

We’ll give you all the information your student needs to participate in activities—including the practical stuff: how to sign up, how big the commitment is, what classes are available, and even how to create a whole new venture that no one’s thought of yet. Want to start a songwriting club? A tap dance workshop? We are here to help. How?

Step 1:  Join our email list and like us on Facebook.
Step 2:  Become a member. Membership dues are the number-one funding source for the programs, scholarships, and other benefits we offer your students.
Step 3: Come to a meeting. We welcome even occasional participants and will help you find ways to stay informed and get involved.

As you know, arts funding in public schools is never secure, but our administration, faculty, and staff believe in maintaining and, if possible, expanding our curriculum and extracurricular activities in this area. But they cannot do it without the help of parents and community.

FoPA invites you to step onstage—or backstage—and help our students pursue their most creative dreams.

Support our students with an annual FoPA membership.

Membership Levels

Member: $25+      Friend: $50+    Supporter: $100 +    Patron: $250+

Benefactor: $300+    Star: $500+    Angel: $1,000+

FoPA members are listed in all 2013-14 performing arts programs.

Pay Online by using the DONATE button on the side column of this site.

or 

Print this form and mail it with your check.

Questions?
Email us at fopamarbleheadhighschool@gmail.com
Susan Hauck and Kera Dalton, Co-Presidents
Marion Higgins, Treasurer
Molly Welch and Julie Glass, Communications

Thank you for supporting MHS students!

Congratulations to the 
2013 FoPA Scholarship Winners

Each year FoPA awards scholarships to graduating seniors that have been involved in MHS band, drama, crew, tech, orchestra, chorus, a cappella, or dance. Students do not have to be planning to study or continue with performing arts in college to apply.

This year's recipients are...

Front row left to right: 
Elizabeth Nuccio, Brianna Keating, Shanna McCarriston, Sonya Rosen, Tatiana Dalton, Jake Carey, Matt Kennedy

Back row left to right: 
Josh Zeff, Victoria Kearney, Hannah Landergan, Alex Clough, Joe Boyce, Abby Dempster, Geoff Selden, Max Levine

Thank you and Best of Luck to Steve Black

We wish Steve Black the very best of luck as he moves on to a new teaching position outside of Marblehead this fall. During his tenure, Steve has strengthened and expanded the Marblehead High School drama curriculum and extracurricular programming, bringing students high impact learning experiences via classes, musicals, Dramafest and the launch of a new Drama Club.

FoPA has spoken with Superintendent Maryann Perry and the district is firmly committed to build on Steve's good work. A process is in place, per district hiring protocol, to immediately submit a job posting and establish a search committee for Steve's replacement. FoPA will provide a representative to the search committee and will stay in close communication with Superintendent Perry throughout the process.

Get thee to Spamalot

Fetchez la vache! Opening night of Spamalot is tonight! 

Sure to be a great time, the production is directed by Marblehead High School Theatre Director Steve Black and features Marblehead High School 2013 graduate Joe Boyce who will start the theatre program at Boston University this Fall. 

Sweeney Todd Receives Multiple Nominations

The MET Musical Awards is an educational program sponsored by Broadway in Boston and run by the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild as a way of recognizing outstanding performance and production values as displayed by Massachusetts high schools and middle schools during the course of the theater season, which ran from September 1 through May 19, 2013.  Schools that wish to participate in the MET program submit their shows for consideration to a panel of experienced theater adjudicators who evaluate each participating production and score them in a number of performance and design categories based on standard scoring criteria. Educational comments are returned to the directors to share with their students in order to improve scholastic programs.

In its inaugural year, 44 high schools across the state participated in the MET Musical Awards. Marblehead High School’s production of Sweeney Todd brought in seven nominations, including a nod for Best Production! Other nominations included Best Leading Actress: Libby Jancsy, Best Supporting Actress: Tatiana Dalton, Best Stage Management: Max Levine, Best Sound Design: Baie Rogers and Jake Carey (winner), Best Music Director: Amanda Roeder, and Best Props: Davis Franklin (winner).  


In an interview on Fox News, METG Executive Director Mike McGarty stated that over 600 people attended the awards ceremony at the Paramount Theatre in Boston.  The opening act was MHS’s Libby Jancsy and Joe Boyce performing “Little Priest” from Sweeney Todd.  McCarty was thrilled that the arts are alive at all of the participating schools, and hopes to get more Boston schools involved in next year’s program.  For more information on METG, go to their website at metg.org.

Join us for a Cappella Tonight

Hope to see everyone tonight at 7:30 for one of our favorite concerts of the year!

Thank you Ken Warren!

Before, during and after the annual Spring Concert last night our fearless Band Director of 27 years, Ken Warren, was honored for his years of service at Marblehead High School. The tributes were too numerous to count from students, colleagues and parents.

We will miss you Ken and wish you all the very best!