The Harwich High School Select Choir performed before Hyannis Sound.

Hyannis Sound

Shannon Clouter Chandler, a 2003 alumna of Harwich High School and Director of that school's Fall 2007 production of “The Outsiders” has been named a Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction for 2008. This honor is bestowed upon two hundred and fifty educators in conjunction with the Coca-Cola Scholars award program that allows finalists to acknowledge teachers who display “Exemplary Dedication to the Field of Education” and “who, with vision and purpose, enhance the minds and experiences of the future leaders of this country.”

Shannon was the choice of Patrick Blute, a 2008 graduate of Harwich High School and a Coca-Cola Scholar finalist. His words on the accompanying plaque explain his choice. “The creativity and passion you delivered while directing The Outsiders did not go unnoticed. You broadened my scope as an actor with your inventive exercises, expanded my outlook with your personal attention, and changed my life with your friendship. Thank you for your vitality and leadership. You are truly an Educator of Distinction”.

The award was presented on June 11 prior to a performance of the Harwich High School Select Choir and Hyannis Sound by Principal, Kevin Turner and Patrick's sister, Jackie Blute. Patrick was unable to participate as he is traveling around the world in 80 days as the World Traveler Intern 2008 for student travel agency, STA Travel. Shannon accepted the award stating “teaching means everything in the world to me.” Shannon received a B.A. degree in Theatre Education from Emerson College in 2007 and is “currently in retail management, but eagerly looking for the right full time drama position!!”

Funding for this award is provided by the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation which was founded in 1937 by Joseph B. Whitehead, Jr. in honor of his father, one of the original Coca-Cola bottlers.

Read more about Shannon below.

As she prepares to direct an evening rehearsal of the fall drama production of “The Outsiders” at Harwich High School, Shannon Clouter, (Class of 2003) remarks “This is exactly what I want to be doing.” At the early age of ten, she realized theater was her forte and she has actively pursued it as a career ever since. She excelled in high school theater arts classes and productions and during her senior year directed “The Night of January 16th” as an independent study project making her the first and only student director in the high school’s history. Then it was on to Emerson College, where her program of studies included acting, directing, play writing, poetry, improvisation and student teaching in the Boston Public Schools. She frequently returned to Harwich High School as a visiting teacher during school breaks and over weekends to offer day and week long workshops to students. Certified to teach Grades K-12, she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Education last May and is currently managing two stores while job hunting for a full time drama teaching position as well as preparing for her May wedding.

"What a tremendous performance by the entire cast.  My children age 7, 6, and 2 were mesmerized by the cast and songs. It was wonderful when my seven year old Michael grabbed me saying 'Hey Dad, that’s Nick from the football team.' (referring to Danny). It was truly a community event as the auditorium was filled with both children and adults.  Kudos to Mrs. Donovan and her cast of supporting adults. I couldn't’t have been more proud to be the principal, as I tucked my kids to bed that night and they were still singing some of the songs."

"This auditorium is full on a Saturday afternoon when people could be out shopping or playing soccer. This says a lot about the Harwich Public Schools. The participation is extraordinary on the part of the community and the students."

Behind

the

Scenes

Harwich High School turns into “Rydell High” this week as the spring musical “Grease” opens tomorrow.

The cast of more than 60 students accompanied by a live rock ‘n’ roll band makes for some impressively choreographed dance numbers like “Born to Hand Jive,” and “Beauty School Dropout.” Expect to hear solid solos, too, like Alana Coppola’s “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” and Casey Keyes’ “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee.”

Set in 1959, the musical is a romantic comedy about a teenaged girl named Sandy (played by Keyes) who falls in love with a greaser named Danny (Nik Gallerani) over the summer. They’re reunited in high school, but Sandy doesn’t exactly fit in with Danny’s cool set of leather-jacketed friends, who include Rizzo (Alana Coppola) and Kenicke (Max Rosen). Danny tries to change by going out for track and field, while Sandy sheds her “good girl” image for Capri pants and high heels.  

For Gallerani (Danny), though he’s a senior, it’s his first musical, and “it’s been a blast,” he said. “I’m just making the most of it.”

Rosen, a senior who was in “Fiddler on the Roof” last year and who plays Kenicke, agreed. “Having all my friends here makes it more fun.”

Drama teacher and director Deborah Donovan said she and musical director Rose Richard selected “Grease” because their students have seen the movie version, and were interested.

The Tony award-winning musical debuted on Broadway in 1972 and ran for 3,388 performances, until 1980. A Broadway revival is scheduled to open this June. “Grease,” the movie, was released in 1978 and starred Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta.

“The kids had been asking if they could do ‘Grease,’” explained Donovan. “It’s fun, the music’s upbeat and there’s lots of dancing.”

“It’s catchy,” said Richard.

“This is definitely the best show we’ve done so far,” according to Keyes, the senior who plays Sandy. She said it’s even better than “Fame,” which the high school put on two years ago. “I love it.”

“Everyone put so much into it,” said Coppola, the sophomore who plays Rizzo. “It’s going to turn out to be an amazing production.”

Coppola quickly got past the rough language and grown-up themes (Rizzo is worried she might be pregnant). “At first I was a little hesitant, but in no time I got into the character. I had no trouble because [like Rizzo] I’m a loud, expressive Italian girl.”

The set design consists of a 1950s theme backdrop and vintage car. The costumes, which were collected in thrift stores and from students by high school teacher Caren Coppola (her daughter plays Rizzo) are elaborate – from leather jackets to beauty school uniforms – and there are a number of costume changes.

With so many students in the cast, the production was a challenge, said Donovan. As with previous productions, the cast received help with the choreography from professional New York actor Joseph Burke.

The cast features many promising freshmen and sophomores, said Donovan, and the largest number of boys yet for a high school production, an indicator of how strong the art department is at Harwich High. Donovan credited the school administration with being supportive of the arts program.

“We have some really good talent,” she said, “and that talent has created a solid production.”