Poster by Megan Wood, ACMA Class of 2016

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Putting Arts Education To The Test
A parent reflects on what this project says about the value of a public school arts education.

Meet The Directors (and Playwright)
      Scott Castner      Noah Marger

Coraline 
by Neil Gaiman

7:00 pm on November 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22
2:00 pm on November 15 & 22

Find out what lies in wait behind secret doors, explore marvelous and perfect worlds, and discover the darkness that lurks behind button eyes. Based off of the bestselling novel by Neil Gaiman, Coraline tells the story of a lonely young girl lost in a new house. One filled with eccentric neighbors, distant parents, old furniture, and even a door to another world; a world of marvel and beauty which, at first glance, seems perfect. But when she looks closer, Coraline discovers that it may hide an evil she never could have imagined. Charged with dark, brooding characters, haunting dance, and breathtaking original script and score, our production promises to breathe new life into the story of a girl, a cat, a door, and a pair of shiny button eyes. Be brave, be bold, and be careful what you wish for.

More than a year in the making, ACMA’s original adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline is entirely unique for one reason: Student artists. Coraline has been built from the ground up by a team of student artists, ranging from sophomores to seniors. “We may not have all the experience that some of the teachers have, but we have just as much of the stuff that really counts in the end. Raw, burning passion, both for theatre, and for art as a whole.” Says junior Scott Castner, author of the original script and one of the founding members of the group. “It started out with just two of us, me and Kelly Schenk who’s writing the music. Now it’s probably about thirty people, including the cast.” At its core however the group is led by five people. Scott on Script, Kelly on Music, Jessica Stewart and Noah Marger, who are primed to direct the production, and their production manager, Emilia Smart-Denson. “Everyone adds something essential to the group. Kelly writes the most amazing music, Jessica and Noah know so much about what they’re doing, and they have some of the best ideas, and Emilia manages to organize everything from rights to schedules, single handedly. Everyone is excellent at what they do, and we all care so much about this story.” A story which, Emilia claims, applies to every student. “We're working from a beautiful book, all about what it means to be brave and the journey of growing up. As people growing through these life experiences at the same time we can all bring another dimension to the story of Coraline Jones. It’s about all of us.”

Produced with permission for an amateur theater production from Casarotto Ramsey & Associates Ltd.