Central’s Theater Program Puts On “Fiddler on the Roof”

This past weekend, Central’s theater program featured five different times for this year’s play, Fiddler on the Roof. It was a popular production, with over 500 people attending over the course of the weekend. Responding with positive reviews, many students enjoyed the play. Everyone involved felt enthusiastic, but they were also sad to see it come to an end so soon.

Fiddler on the Roof takes place during the early 1900s in a small Jewish village located in Russia. It is about a Jewish family that tries to hold on to old traditions all while the turn of the century—and the new love interests of the three eldest daughters challenge those traditions. A large, underlying aspect is that the Jewish population is being systematically evicted by the Russian regime which is based on true events.

This year, music teacher Branden Martinez co-directed with a student director, junior Vivian Hastings, and encouraged other students and faculty to help with all aspects of the production. Hastings also organized the choreography of the production. Harper Downing, a sophomore, made the playbills to hand out at the beginning of every show. Kari Adams, the art teacher, did the headshots for all the characters. Lastly, senior Kylie Poling made the poster for the show. The other student actors had to take on more responsibility so the show could run as well, finding costumes, helping with props, and applying stage makeup.

One of the biggest contributors to the play was Mr. Martinez himself. He focused on planning the musical, buying the rights, signing contracts, running rehearsals, and much more behind the scenes as well. While Martinez took charge of many aspects, he also tried to let the students use their own creative processes while preparing: “I let the students be creative with their own acting skills and their choreography, and then I am just there to assist them if they need help…I just give them ideas to try and help them be creative.”

He enjoys being able to help students who are not in sports or clubs be able to find a place where they can belong and be able to freely express themselves. “Education is really strict and based on rubrics and grades, and I think the musical and play gives students an opportunity to put grades and rubrics aside and just be 100% creative on their own,” Martinez explained.

The musical was a big hit this year, with students and adults alike enjoying it. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to try something new and gain valuable experiences outside the world of academics.