IHS Theater Works with Backlight Productions

Published April 4, 2023

Independence High theater students opened their school’s auditorium doors and worked with Backlight Productions to perform two student-written shows on March 28.

Backlight Productions is a local organization that gives adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to receive training in the arts and perform lead roles in productions. Backlight Productions apprentices wrote two shows and then worked with IHS theater students to make those performances a reality.

"Our students who got to work alongside the apprentices really enjoyed working closely together," said IHS theater director Becky Williams. "Helping guide an apprentice really helped our students understand the purpose of the program, and it was awesome to watch them all grow in their skills and share their passion for theater with one another."

After several days of rehearsals, The Incredible Pizza Showdown and Just Another Fairytale... Or Is It? hit the Independence High stage.

"It was special to be a part of something that made them proud," said Williams. "It was such a joy to work with the student scripts and see them come to life. It was truly and entirely a fun experience and such a warm environment. We hope to keep doing this for years to come."