‘There’s a place for everybody’: Mount Nittany Middle School play welcomes all interested students
State College Area School District’s commitment to inclusion is set to be on display Saturday and Sunday when the Mount Nittany Middle School drama club performs its rendition of “Bye Bye Birdie.”
The 1961 Tony Award-winning stage musical is scheduled to be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the school by about 100 MNMS students. The performances are sold out.
Every student who auditioned for drama club, including those with physical and learning disabilities, had a role carved out for them by director and choreographer Kat Shondeck.
“Every year, there’s at least one or two students that have special needs that want to be involved in the show. We treat them exactly the same,” Shondeck said. “The whole idea of mainstreaming is to give them a normal school experience, as much as can be.”
The production, which students and staff began rehearsing for in October, features a pit orchestra that includes about seven past drama club members and three Penn State students, music director and lighting designer Matt Shaffer said.
“Every kid should have a place. It’s a really hard time for kids and for some it’s their one place where they can feel accepted and where they feel understood in a time that is very challenging for everybody,” Shaffer said. “I think it speaks to the greater, overall message that we’re trying to put in this community: There’s a place for everybody.”
The organization is entirely self-funded through ticket sales and fundraisers, including a Valentine’s Day-inspired dance at the school.
The efforts of volunteers and community members are crucial to giving all students an opportunity to express themselves, including those with disabilities, producer and technical director Amy Sliman said.
“We always find a way for every student to be a part, no matter their ability,” Sliman said. “We don’t really change the choreography. Everyone finds a way to do what they need to do and that’s a beautiful thing.”