This was the most successful show I have ever seen produced in the last decade at MacArthur High School. Nearly 40 students danced, sang, acted, moved sets, worked lights and sound for three nights, bringing the beloved tale to life. Even more students in drama and stage production, probably another 60 young people, worked on sets, costumes and promotions during their class time as part of the course instruction, giving them hands-on experiences creating art that lives on the stage. Over 100 students experienced, first-hand, every step of the stage production process, even analyzing scripts and researching dramaturgy for the most accurate creations possible. Our grant dollars were spent on securing the rights, licenses and scripts, which are the foundation for any and all musical or theatre productions. While the drama department had record numbers of ticket sales, the show was mostly successful in how it inspired many first-time musical performers to go on to bigger and brighter stages, often using the MHS musical as a launching point to audtiion for other shows at LPS and in the community. It was also a "success" because over a dozen MHS students took songs, dances and tech design projects to the Oklahoma State Thespian Festival, where they earned superior rankings, performed three "best-in-show" routines and subsequently earned positive feedback from judges at the national level in June... all from work completed in The Lion King Jr. This production solidified professional bonds with the drama, vocal music and dance departments at MHS, all of whom collaborated to produce the phenomenal show, and even tied in individuals from MacArthur Middle School. Mrs. Perez, the show director, experienced a great deal of personal growth taking on "the largest professional project of her career," while simultaneously healing from the unexpected death of her father months prior to the show.

"He lives in you; He lives in me. He watches over, everything we see. "

The dollars spent by the LPS Foundation on The Lion King Jr. were not spent. They were invested into the futures of so many bright young minds. Thank you, LPSF, for this experience