Centennial Middle School’s Anastasia

December 15th, 2023 /
Spencer Tuinei /
Centennial Middle, News, Schools, Secondary Schools, Teaching and Learning

The magic of musical theater came alive– “Once Upon a December”– through Centennial Middle School’s annual production of Anastasia, a uniquely collaborative effort spearheaded by Drama Teacher Melissa Brown and Choir Teacher Heather Williams, engaging a whopping 128 students across two classes, each forming its own cast.

As the semester kicked off, the classroom enthusiasm, energy, and nerves were palpable—students ranged from seasoned performers to those stepping onto the stage for the first time.

“They are some of the bravest individuals I have ever met,” shared Melissa Brown. “Many students come into my class having never performed before and are very nervous, but they push themselves out of their comfort zone.”

It is remarkable; not only are the students performing in front of their peers, but they have considerable audiences totaling more than six hundred people on a given night. It’s only fitting that a play centered on a youth realizing their prodigal potential saw so many students come into their own, growing in both the arts and in courage.

Creating an environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things is crucial to the success of this endeavor. As Brown notes, the instructors strive to make the classroom a safe space to grow, and it pays off.

“We work hard to make our class a fun and inviting place so that students feel okay taking risks, trying new things, and getting into character. Every year, I am so impressed with the quality of work these students put out, and this year was no different.”

The commitment to excellence is not confined to the students alone; the Centennial community plays a vital role in ensuring the success of the Anastasia play, contributing to a vibrant arts culture at our school– and, by extension, Provo. Our audiences of family, friends, and community members never fail to aid in our student’s journeys toward adulthood; it takes a village, as they say. Our community’s collaborative spirit makes Centennial’s annual fall productions a resounding success, as Brown says:

“We love our students! We have amazing support from the community, administration, and district. Our audiences are always wonderful, and we always have lots of help behind the scenes. We are so lucky to have such wonderful support for the arts here!”

We are so grateful for the collaborative efforts of our teachers, students, and community, by which our students learn to model excellence, kindness, and maturity. To quote lyrics from the titular song, “Learn to Do It,” from Anastasia:

If I can learn to do it, you can learn to do it, too!