Masco theater has been a big and dominant part of Masco’s community, with students and the program winning multiple state awards,
This year, Masco has a new director, Meaghan DelGenio.
“I never really saw myself in a school setting, which is crazy, because I’m here now,” said DelGenio.
With a new face in the director’s chair, performing a feel good show is helpful for all students and adults.
“When my colleagues at North Shore Music Theater heard that I was coming here, every single one of them was like ‘you need to do High School Musical,’” said DelGenio.
This decision to produce a lighter and happier play is bringing in more and more students who are ready to learn and work.
“I chose to join theater because I wanted to be involved in something my freshman year. I was hesitant to join clubs at the start of the school year since I was busy with field hockey. One of the things I love about theater is how new people can come and go each show. It’s such a welcoming and ever-changing community,” said senior Delaney Ogden. “Even though I wasn’t involved in the fall show, Chicago, I was still able to join later on. That process wasn’t very linear though. I didn’t end up being cast in that show and was really disappointed. Honestly, I almost gave up on theater. But I decided to try tech instead. I ended up having an amazing experience, and I’m so grateful I stuck with it.”
Masco is a part of the METG (Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild), which partners with schools all over the state to provide grants and scholarships. As well as competitions and adjudications for musicals.
This is Masco’s fourth year being a part of the guild, when they have produced 3 very successful competition pieces.
The guild’s competition festival is simple: pick a play, cut it down to less than 40 minutes, and perform it during one of the competition days in March. A school hosts six to seven schools in the preliminary round, then 5 in the semifinals, and finally, 12 in the finals.
“I really love the competition days of course. . .but I also really love the days leading up to the competitions when we’re all just such a company because we have to come together to put the whole thing together,” said junior Lydia Deal.
In Masco’s 3 years of participating, they have advanced to the semifinal round each time, making it to the finals in 2023.
“My favorite part and favorite memory of Fest go hand in hand. I absolutely love the competitive nature of it, and that’s where I thrive. Going to finals with Women and Wallace and winning technical awards for Don’t U Luv Me are some of my favorite Fest highlights. It all ties back to that excitement of competition and collaboration,” said Ogden.
With that being said, Masco has racked up to 22+ individual awards in the past 3 years and 7 competitions.
Masco’s theater program is gearing up for an exciting new year with lots of fun shows and opportunities. Their production of Disney’s High School Musical will be on December 4, 5, and 6, and tickets are now on sale. Stay tuned for more info on their festival show piece.