By Heather Lawrence | [email protected]

Olympus High’s theater department presented the musical “Little Shop of Horrors” in October. The show’s director, theater teacher Robin Edwards, realized that the timing was also perfect for a fundraiser in the form of pre-show activities. The cast was more than happy to add it in to the evening. 

“Our musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ was the perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season. Our Christmas show is ‘Holiday Inn,’ and we’ve added extra activities to get people in the spirit,” Edwards said. 

Edwards’ students and the Olympus community have become accustomed to quality productions. Their shows are a result of hard work both by the students and by Edwards. Edwards likes to plan productions far in advance, and prepare shows with high-level production values. 

“Productions are expensive, and last year’s Covid-19 restrictions and show costs caused a significant loss of funds,” Edwards said. 

Like everything else last year, the Covid restrictions made it difficult to get the shows and the budget where they needed to be. What’s the solution to missed theater fundraising opportunities? More theater, of course. 

Edwards realized that because the students were already in costume, sets were out, performers were well-rehearsed and excited to perform, it would be the perfect time for them to play to their strengths and use their talents for meaningful fundraisers. 

Halloween fundraisers included a spook alley, trick-or-treating for kids and skid row donations. Trick-or-treating was for the younger kids, with costumes encouraged.

The spook alley was for those ages 12 and older who can handle a bit more scaring. It ran Oct. 26 – 30 before the show. It was held back stage and in the black box theater and had a minimum $5 donation. 

Skid Row was set up with musical theater students trying to earn show goers’ pocket change. Donations of any kind were accepted, and the students were set up at the entrance to the main show, so tickets were required for entry. 

If you missed the Halloween show or fundraisers, don’t worry—it was such a success that they are using the same idea with their Christmas show. 

“We’re doing the same thing at Christmas, where our family-friendly musical ‘Holiday Inn’ can be combined with the purchase of a catered pre-show. It will feature our talented Titan singers and Vocal Ensemble,” Edwards said. 

On Saturday, Dec. 11 ticket-holders can come to a catered dinner, and purchase a package that includes tickets to the musical. On Monday, Dec. 13, there will be a dessert bar instead of full dinner. 

Attendees can choose whether to combine the dinner or dessert bar held in the commons area with the full musical, or just buy tickets to enjoy the preshow. The preshow starts at 5:30 p.m., all full musical performances start at 7 p.m. in the performance hall at the north end of the campus. 

“We’re calling the Christmas event the Holiday Spectacular. It’s a short and terrific pre-show. It will feature singing and dancing by the Vocal Ensemble and the Titan Singers. For people who come for both, we’ve timed it just right so you can move from dinner to the Performing Arts Hall and take in ‘Holiday Inn,’” Edwards said. 

Olympus’s “Holiday Inn” musical production is an updated version of the classic 1942 movie with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. It runs Dec. 11 and 13 – 17. The movie originated the beloved holiday song “White Christmas”.  

Reserved seating tickets can be purchased online at www.olytitans.com/event-tickets.