Musical by Canyon Creek Middle School Soundstage transports audience back to the 1980s

Middle school students study their scripts. Photo courtesy Washougal School District

The production is free of charge and will be presented in the Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School on Tuesday, May 23, at 6 p.m.

Students in the Soundstage club at Canyon Creek Middle School in Washougal rehearse for the upcoming spring theater production, “We Got the Beat.” The production is free of charge and will be presented in the Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School on Tuesday, May 23, at 6 p.m.

“We Got the Beat” is a musical that transports viewers back to the 1980s. Audience members are invited to wear their favorite 1980s outfit to the performance. “I’m so proud of what these students are able to accomplish,” said Diana Larson, director of the Soundstage after school program at Canyon Creek Middle School. “From singing and acting to choreography and costuming, I think that our community is going to really get a kick out of this production.”

Students in Soundstage after school club at Canyon Creek Middle School in Washougal pose for a group photo. Photo courtesy Washougal School District

The production is an opportunity for middle school students in the Soundstage after school program to showcase singing and acting skills. “I’m looking forward to performing my monologue,” said Libby Gilderhus, 6th grade student at Canyon Creek Middle School. “Soundstage is helping me to break out of my shell.”

Musical accompaniment for “We Got the Beat” will be performed by a group of local musicians, including local musician Bryan Harrison on the guitar, Canyon Creek Middle School science teacher Patrick Rice on the bass, and Washougal High School student Elijah Deere on the drums.

Libby Gilderhus, 6th grade student at Canyon Creek Middle School, has a monologue in the upcoming We Got the Beat musical production. Photo courtesy Washougal School District

The spring production is one highlight in a productive school year for the Soundstage club at Canyon Creek Middle School. The club has also performed “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” radio play, a music video, and holiday caroling in the community this year.

“Getting involved with after school activities teaches you to work with other people better and learn skills that are useful in the real world,” said Jenny Thurman, 8th grade student at Canyon Creek Middle School.

Performing arts programs at Washougal School District nurture and challenge all students to rise. More information on the Soundstage production this spring is available on the Washougal School District website.