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Main Street Middle School

8th Grade Dinner Theater
Program Description
Dinner Theater at MSMS began originally as a theater program during the school year of 90-91 integrating the music, art and technology education departments. In its fourth year the home economics department joined in adding the restaurant portion of the program now involving all of the 8th grade class entirely in this creative endeavor. Although the MSMS music department is no longer a part of this program, a director is hired each year to direct the show and works closely on all aspects of the theater production with art instructor, Mr. Aja, digital technology instructor, Mrs. Monmaney and home economics instructor, Mrs. Farrar. The director this year is an accomplished director who we were very fortunate to have available to us, Charlene McManis.

As a start to the program, all students are exposed to several play options and the class as a whole determines the final selection. Readings and auditions take place, a cast is selected and then students (not in the cast) select between the theater arts and dinner theater departments. The home economics department begins by operating a test kitchen to determine a menu for our guests. Once determined, restaurant management & planning begins to make this event a fun filled, real life experience for both our guests and the students. Students in theater arts take on all aspects of theater production as outlined below.

While working on life skills during the program students are also working on Vermont Standards in the areas of problem solving, teamwork, dependability, productivity, dedication, artistic problem solving and development of elements, forms, & techniques in the arts.

Opportunities Offered Through Theater Arts and Dinner Theater
Art & Digital Technology Departments
Theater Arts

Cast
Chorus
Costuming
Lighting Crew
Make Up Crew
Program & Poster Designers
Prop Builders
Prop Managers
Set Painters
Sound Crew
Special Effects Crew
Stage Crew
Stage Set-Up Crew
Video Crew
Web Site
Home Economics Department
Dinner Theater

Accountants
Bartenders
Chefs
Children’s Recreational Directors
Decorators
Facilities Managers
Graphic Artists
Labor Relations Managers
Maître d’s
Master of Ceremonies
Materials Managers
Parent Volunteer Coordinators
Reservations Administrators
Test Kitchen Chefs
Wait Staff