Former President John F. Kennedy once said, “The future of our nation depends on our ability to create and to be creative… If our nation is to continue to meet the challenges of the future, today’s schools need to develop creative leaders.” This idea applies to now more than ever. It is why having a variety of creative performance opportunities is essential. “

The theater program was lacking in my first 3 years of high school, and I kind of lost interest with the minimal opportunities, said Miranda Van Mooy, one of Ms. Guida’s current interns. Although Falmouth High School had limited dramatic art offerings in the past, this year a new theater program has been added. This includes the recent hiring of Ms. Alyssa Guida who serves as the program’s teacher. 

Prior to joining the Falmouth High School Staff, Ms. Guida worked as a student teacher in graduate school and as a long-term substitute for a class of grade-schoolers. ¨I was a musical theater major in college, but I didn’t want to perform for a living,¨ she said. At the same time, she didn’t want to give up performance, so she decided to teach theater. 

Since Ms. Guida was hired during the summer of 2019 after most students had picked their classes for the year, many students do not know about the exciting new theater opportunities. Ms. Guida currently teaches 4 classes: Theater Production, Theater Outreach, Creative Dramatics, and Introduction to Theater. Ms. Guida also plans to offer Musical Theater next year if there is enough interest. In addition, Ms. Guida directs both a fall and spring musical. She is currently working on Disney’s The Little Mermaid for the spring. 

 Although the drama program is in its infancy, enthusiasm for the program seems strong already. Grant Leachman, a senior at FHS, is positive about the new program. Grant has been doing plays in school and in his community since freshman year. He has personally experienced the improvements to the theater program. ¨I think it’s a good direction have multiple plays during the year and to have a whole department solely focused on the program.

¨Brooks Bellinger, a junior at FHS, is also excited about the program. He has been cast as Prince Eric in the musical and spoke about the reasons for joining. He sums it up perfectly. “I love music, I love performing, and I love the camaraderie that comes with being a part of a big production.”