When most people think about Tech Valley High School, they think about students studying science, technology, engineering and math. While this is true, it’s not just STEM learning that is going on at the TVHS campus in Rensselaer.
• What: “Mulan”
• When: Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m.
• Where: Tech Valley High School, 9 University Place, Rensselaer
• How much: $7 for adults, $5 for children and seniors
Dan Quinones, a junior at TVHS, sees his future in the arts.
“I want to be a screenwriter and minor in theater,” said Quinones of Averill Park.
While studying at a STEM-focused school may seem like an odd path to the arts, the skills TVHS students are taught are meant to help them succeed in whatever path they choose.
Quinones and fellow student Andrew Glanton, also a junior from Averill Park, decided early in the school year that they would like to put together a school play and brought the idea to TVHS teacher Sophia Hsia.
“Andrew and Dan approached me and said that they would like to do a musical this year. I was of course very excited about it. They wanted to do ‘Mulan.’ One of the best things — there are so many things — that I like about TVHS is, first of all, the opportunities that it offers our students, both in and out of school. The fact that students are the initiators to put something together is rare in this day and age, but not at TVHS,” said Hsia.
Hsia said it’s common for students at TVHS to take it upon themselves to initiate the activities and clubs they have an interest in.
“Unless it’s student initiated, we don’t get involved,” said Hsia.
With determination and the guidance of a couple of TVHS teachers, Quinones and Glanton moved forward with the production of “Mulan,” which will hit the stage April 4 and 5.
“We have another student that we asked to be the stage manager. She is in charge of making the backdrop and props,” said Quinones. “And other students are working on the programs.”
All aspects of the show, from developing the idea, casting the show, securing the rights to stage the show, choreographing, tickets, auditions and scheduling rehearsals with fellow student actors are solely the responsibility of the students.
Hsia and another teacher, Sean O’Brien, are available to advise the students when needed.
“They help me with questions I have and provide their point of view,” Glanton said.
But, Hsia said, it’s really the students who are doing everything.
Quinones admitted Tech Valley’s main focus is not the arts, but the things he is learning at the school has helped him to learn to apply his skills in more ways than one.
“We learn to be self directed at Tech Valley, so we can implement that. The teachers will give you support for whatever you want to do,” he said. “If we’re willing to put in the effort, they are willing to support us.”
It’s the school’s goal to teach the students 21st century skills, among those skills are collaboration, self direction and time management. Hsia said Quinones’ and Glanton’s success with the production has proven they are grasping those skills well.
“I’m really impressed with what Andrew and Dan do with the musical; not only did they organize it, plan everything, direct, taking parts in the musical themselves, contacting many different organization/companies for support, leading others to help the musical, and so much more. In the process, they set great examples of how to be leaders to others,” she said.
“Mulan” isn’t the first production to be produced by TVHS students. In previous years, students staged musicals such as “The Producers” and “A Very Potter Musical.”
This year’s production of “Mulan” will feature more than 30 students. The script is based on the popular Disney animated feature film about the legend of Fa Mulan who enters the Chinese Army to serve in her father’s place despite breaking tradition and going against typical expectations.
Glanton and Quinones said when they first started at Tech Valley they would sometimes find that people didn’t understand why they would choose to attend TVHS rather than their local high schools.
“I think it’s like ‘Mulan,’” Quinones said. “It’s a beneficial break from tradition. Sometimes the normal way just doesn’t work out, so it’s good to break tradition sometimes.”
TVHS’s production of “Mulan” will take place on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m. at Tech Valley High School, 9 University Place, Rensselaer. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under and senior citizens 65 and older and can be bought at the door.