As the 2025-26 school year begins, the HHS theatre, thespian board members and community prepare for the upcoming theatre season. With more information getting released for each show, the students are gearing up for a run of performances.
Auditions took place for the fall play, “She Kills Monsters,” on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m., Show dates are: Nov. 14 at 7 p.m., Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. The ticket costs include $15 online and $20 at the door you can find more information on the HHS Theatre website.
Theatre Director Christian Confalone shared the basis of the play selection. “I think the material of the fall play itself is very exciting because it’s a play that I know a bunch of students here have wanted to do for a long time, and I’ve wanted to do. I’ve been prepping this show since the middle of college. It’s very exciting,” Confalone said.
During the Sept. 16 theatre interest meeting, the spring play was revealed to the students—“The Theory of Relativity.”
Students shared their reactions.“It’s certainly not what I was expecting, but it’s a surprise that I will take with no negativity. I’m very positive about it,” said junior Emma Watts, a member of theatre. Auditions for “Seussical The Musical,” the upcoming winter musical, will be held in November.
Everyone is welcome to attend the thespian meetings for Hillsborough High School that, as well as performance nights and fundraisers throughout the year. There are also many opportunities to become a thespian and possibly get on the thespian board. “Being on the thespian board is a really fun experience. I like getting to know what leadership does and I feel like I can better connect with the theatre community,” said Watts. Theatre producer, Pamala Annunziato has mentioned that by going to the thespian meetings, which take place in the auditorium, people have a higher chance at becoming a thespian and learning more about the theatre community here at HHS. All information can be found on the HHS theatre website such as how to become and thespian and how to join the theatre program at HHS (https://sites.google.com/htps.us/hhs-theatre).
Other news in the greater Hillsborough Theatre community includes summer shows like “Annie Jr,” “Alice in Wonderland Jr,” “Footloose,” and “The Wizard of Oz Jr.” These plays were conducted by the Allegra School of Music and Arts, a school that has been training young musicians, actors, and singers into becoming professionals, and putting on summer shows since 1999. They are inclusive, supportive and a community to join if one is interested in doing theatre, becoming a musician, singing as a career, or would like to give it a try just for fun. Director Andrew Diaz shared his take on the organization. “My experience working at Allegra has been life changing. If I’m being completely honest I’m so glad I found it, because I had come from college not realizing that I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with myself and there were a couple of months where I was just sitting at home, I was almost depressed. Then I found the job posting, found this place, and six years later here we are, and I’m so happy that I’m here,” Diaz said.
Villagers Theatre, a community theatre concentrated in theatre arts, also did a few summer shows, such as “Anything Goes” and “Matilda Jr” similar to AllegraSMA. “My experience with Villagers Theatre has been very good. It helped me grow a lot, not just as a performer but as a designer,” said Villagers member, Scott Doyal. Villagers Theatre always puts their best foot forward and has several different types of troupes including Miniature Musical Makers (MMM) Kidsvill, Teensvill, ComedyVill and more. Villagers theatre has auditions for many shows this year which can be found on their website
(https://www.villagerstheatre.org/)
Stay on the lookout for more upcoming information about HHS, Villagers, and Allegra theatre details at their websites.
