Director's Notes
Directing CAPA’s production of RENT: The Student Edition has been an amazing honor and privilege for me! Every show has its own merits, but RENT has a passion, immediacy, spirit and an energy that matches that of high school students. Undoubtedly, much of the cast can identify with the characters and their belief in and struggle with their art and their place in the world. Although the world has changed dramatically in some ways since the late Jonathan Larson wrote his “musical for the MTV generation,”(Yes, I did have to explain to the cast how to use the pay phone!), the show’s message of tolerance and of the power of love and friendship endures.
Putting on a show like RENT takes more people than can be believed, and to each person, I am deeply grateful. These people have helped the students to realize their dreams, one of the noblest things an adult can do! CAPA’s Home & School Association, our producers, have been incredibly generous in their fundraising activities. CAPA alum Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s annual donation is a tremendous assist to kick-start the musical season. The support of CAPA’s staff during the rehearsal process is invaluable. Their help in supporting the students during the all-day rehearsal period is instrumental in producing the show you will see today.
The production team is the finest group of people with which I have had the pleasure of working; to a person, they are artists of tremendous talent and dedication, and I am grateful to them and their families, who also give up a lot during “musical season.”
CAPA’s principal, Joanne Beaver, has been a tireless supporter of the show, providing hugs, snacks, and encouraging words, always at the moment they are needed!
And finally, the students – they are the life force behind this show! Their tireless effort and boundless energy are inspiring! They are young artists of amazing promise. They put all of their effort and love into this production for you. They fully understand the message of RENT: “No day but today.....”
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A Message from Our Principal
Thank you for supporting CAPA's production of RENT: The Student Edition. Undertaking a musical is a huge task, and we are fortunate to have so much talent and dedication among staff, students and parents to make sure that a collaboration such as this happens every year.
It is my absolute pleasure to work with such outstanding, loving and supportive students and adults. There is no way to express my appreciation as well as my pride in what we have accomplished with this production. Everyone involved has worked tirelessly to ensure that this production is outstanding, and I am sure you will agree that it is!
Many thanks to The CAPA HSA for everything they have done to make this possible. To my amazing staff, you are incredible! Thank you for always being supportive to both me and students and for sharing your gifts with all of us every day. Special thanks also to the students who have sacrificed so many hours of their time and exhibit such amazing talent and grace in their work here. Besides my role as a parent, being the Principal of The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts is the greatest joy in my life. This is because my days are filled with the wonder your fabulous children bring. I am so proud to be among them everyday!
Thank you for being here, and supporting this production! We hope you enjoy it fully.
"No day like today!"
