Statement Regarding Highlands Theatre

given at the school board meeting on July 8, 2024

I read an abbreviated version of the following at the meeting as each person was only allowed two minutes to speak. Every School Board and district staff member in attendance was given a copy of the full version.

All speakers were asked to refrain from discussing any individual as that is not allowed at board meetings. While I'm glad that not everyone complied with this rule, I chose to honor it. Had I been allowed to speak about Jason Burgess and his impact as an individual, I would have had a very different focus, but within the rules allowed I focused instead on the program he has built over the years with his hard work, perceptive nature, selfless sacrifice, in-depth knowledge, and infinite kindness.

With my goal being to name the tangible pieces of the program that need to remain constant for our kids, I did my best to simplify the program into definable elements that are imperative to a comprehensive theatre program. My hope is that a clear list of the core components that our comprehensive program currently includes will make it more likely that any future educator and director will be asked to maintain those components.

What I didn't capture in my statement was the heart and soul of the program. The would have been impossible because the heart and soul of Highlands Theatre is Jason Burgess. I still can't talk about losing him without ending up in tears. The number of times I have said the phrase "I trust Burgess" throughout the years our kids have been a part of the theatre program is more than I can count. We are losing the atmosphere of professionalism, humility, artistic vision, acceptance, support, healthy competition, accountability, encouragement, fun, community, hard work, understanding, passion, energy, and kindness that Jason Burgess gracefully weaves into all of the aspects of the program that he's built. I don't know how one person can make all of those things present in every detail of a program, but he does. Those things won't be guaranteed moving forward because it's all Burgess - both within the theatre program and in real life.

My hope and prayer is that the kids in the program who have been unimaginably lucky to know Jason and have him as an educator and director will carry the lessons he taught them forward. They'll need to become the heart of Highlands Theatre as we walk into a future that is unknown and, frankly, scary. Being the kind of people he showed us how to be is the very best way we can honor the legacy of a man who has given all of us so much of himself.

Good evening,

My name is Annie Varland and tonight I’d like to speak on behalf of the outstanding theatre program created by Jason Burgess over the last 17 years. Both of my children have been hugely impacted by the current theatre program and it is imperative that a change in our theatre educator and director does not result in the dismantling of a successful program. We cannot let our kids down by allowing our theatre program to be diminished.

My daughter, Em, will be a senior this year and my son, Noah, will be a junior.  Both of them entered the theatre program as crew members and have blossomed into well-rounded thespians who are able to show their skills on stage as well as behind the scenes. 

Em has always been a very self-aware and confident kid, but the amount that she has grown and developed her skills through this program is amazing. Some of those skills I’m not sure she was even aware of before theatre. Her ability to roll with the unexpected was showcased last year when the bird cart she had to push across stage during Sweeny malfunctioned during multiple shows. She never missed a beat. Instead of panicking, she was able to fall back on her training and think on her feet. She has developed a love for dance which has required her to push herself in ways she hadn’t before. This past year her organizational and leadership talents were able to shine in her roles as Assistant Stage Manager, Production Stage Manager, and Assistant Director, earning her the Thespian of the Year award. 

Noah began his theatre career as a kid who suffered from consistent bullying, a severe lack of confidence, and the constant dread of going to school because he felt completely and totally alone. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that the theatre program along with Jason Burgess saved Noah’s life. Noah has gone from a quiet crew member to earning multiple named roles and crew head positions. His confidence has skyrocketed with the support and encouragement of the program and the people who are a part of it. The comprehensive nature of the program has allowed Noah to discover that he has many talents as a thespian. Theatre has become the passion of his life and he intends to pursue a career in theatre after high school.

Em and Noah have also developed lifelong friendships within the program. This is not atypical within any extracurricular activity, but those relationships have thrived in a unique way due to being cultivated in an environment that is both competitive and supportive. They have been encouraged to work hard for the roles that they want, but also to come together as a kind, accepting, & cooperative team once roles have been assigned - whether they got what they wanted or not.

Our kids have also enjoyed and grown by leaps and bounds as a direct result of the Acting/Directing/Playwriting and Tech tracks at Highlands. They both loved the Acting class and Em was ecstatic about participating in the Directing class last year. To say they are both excited about their Directing and Playwriting classes this coming year is an understatement. They literally plan their entire school schedule around their theatre classes in order to take advantage of as many options as possible. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Varland household happily revolves around the Highlands theatre program both during and after school.

Our program has been designed to be uniquely comprehensive. I have never witnessed or heard of a high school theatre program that has as many opportunities for learning and leadership as ours. These are the four pillars that I believe are integral to maintaining the current program:

First: there is as much of an emphasis on crew as there is on cast. Students have more leadership opportunities, offer significant design input, and make innumerable contributions to each production. This allows for well-rounded growth and better understanding of theatre. More students have opportunities to participate and find belonging in the theatre community. It’s incredibly special that Highlands shows are both performed by and run by students.

Second: every season of productions includes a high school play, high school musical, and middle school musical. Having both a play and a musical annually provides students with the opportunity to be a part of one or more shows regardless of their unique skills. The middle school musical allows younger students to become a part of the theatre community while learning from and working with the high schoolers who provide the crew leadership for the middle school musical. Having these three shows each year ensures that every student has multiple opportunities to be a part of productions, hone their skills on cast and crew, be leaders and mentors, and create a theatre community that spans both middle and high school.

Having three shows each year also allows students to be a part of a wide variety of productions. Exposure to many different types of shows from year to year both furthers their theatre knowledge and provides them with multiple opportunities to shine in the shows that fit them best.

Third: the theatre classes that are currently available to students are invaluable. Intro to Theatre is a great starting point, but I think the heart of the theatre classes are the two tracks that students can be a part of: Acting/Directing/Playwriting and Tech. This includes the performances of one act shows that serve as a final project for both the Directing and Playwriting classes. These one acts have become not only about the showcasing of skills learned, but also a fun way to bond as a theatre community. It gives the kids an enormous sense of accomplishment to direct a one act that they chose or wrote. It really is the culmination of all the theatre knowledge that they’ve taken in over the years as well as a clear indicator that our program empowers kids to be leaders and take initiative to use the skills that they are being taught.

Four: participation in the Cappies program allows students to be a part of the larger community. The Cappies program inspires kids to strive for the best show possible (cast and crew). It also emphasizes good writing skills (critics), community involvement (Cappies room), sportsmanship (Cappies Gala), and camaraderie (being part of Greater Cincinnati high school theatre). These are skills that are difficult or even impossible to teach with the school’s theatre program alone. Being a part of the Cappies program reminds students that when we go out into the world we should always do our best, act with kindness, respect the skills of others, and celebrate everyone’s successes.

These four pillars of a comprehensive program are woven together by so many other things. The coordination of theatre mentorship between HHS theatre and HMS theatre kids provides both leadership for high schoolers and help for middle schoolers trying to find their footing within a new school. The Drama Club organization creates leadership opportunities for students as well as providing multiple outings and a Lock In to ensure constant camaraderie throughout the school year. Taste of the Season allows the whole FTIS community to come out to support the theatre program while hearing students perform and getting a sneak peek of the shows for the year. The Drama Banquet which recognizes students’ hard work and includes awards and special recognition of seniors. These are only some of the amazing parts of Highlands theatre.

Our current program is truly outstanding. I beg you all to advocate for all the four pillars of our comprehensive program along with all of the other things I’ve mentioned. Losing an iconic director is a huge blow. We cannot add to that loss by diminishing such a special and unique program. We cannot deprive these kids of any of the crucial pieces of our beloved and successful program. Because that’s who we are all here for - the kids. Let’s do what’s best for them.

Thank you.

Annie Varland