Left to right: Shrewsbury Homesteader program chairperson Jerry Viracola and Homesteader president Carolyn Alt are pictured with RBR drama majors Maximum Portman, Erin McEvoy, Dixie O’Connell, Davis Bush, Luke Pearlberg, Lily Pena, Gianna Brockriede, Tamia Waddy, Alanah Ramos, Molly Pair, Anthony Campana,  and RBR drama teacher Reuben Jackson.

Press release from Red Bank Regional High School

On January 12, an entourage of drama majors from the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Red Bank Regional High School showcased their talents during the monthly meeting of the Shrewsbury Homesteaders.
The members of the senior citizens’ organization were treated to a program of original songs, poetry readings and dramatic soliloquies from the works of William Shakespeare. Several cast members from RBR’s recent production of The Crucible recreated a scene from that classic drama by Arthur Miller.

Following the performance, audience members peppered the students with questions on their passions and plans for the future. While not all of the students voiced an intention to major in drama at college or perform professionally, all agreed that the performing arts would always be a passion in their lives.

One VPA student informed the Homesteaders that her dream was to become a teacher — to which Shrewsbury Homesteader (and Shrewsbury Boro teacher) Sallyann Jaush responded, “Acting is very important, as a teacher has an audience in front of her or him every day…and the skills learned from acting can definitely help the teacher captivate their audience.”

Founded 33 years ago, the award-winning Visual and Performing Arts Academy at RBR offers  majors in studio art, photography, creative writing, dance, drama, interactive media, instrumental and vocal music.  Its state certification in career technology education enables it to take qualifying students from throughout Monmouth County on a tuition basis. For more information on the RBR VPA academy visit the website at http://www.rbrhs.org/Page/884.