At the April 10 meeting of the North Royalton Board of Education, the spotlight was turned toward the talent and dedication of the District's high school student performers. Sydney Jahnigen, advisor representing both North Royalton High School (NRHS) Theatre and Royal Harmony, delivered a presentation that celebrated an extraordinary year in the arts — a year marked by packed houses, powerful performances, and historic wins.
The NRHS Theatre program enchanted audiences this season with two major productions: Shrek! The Musical in the fall and Alice in Wonderland in the spring. The fall musical, which featured a nearly sold-out run, was a heartfelt and hilarious production showcasing the power of individuality and community. The spring production took a whimsical turn, captivating viewers with its imaginative take on a classic tale. In total, more than 160 students were involved across the year as actors, crew members, musicians, and technicians — a true community of collaboration and creativity.
Jahnigen took time to highlight the vital behind-the-scenes contributors who help bring each show to life, from costuming to lighting, and gave a heartfelt invitation to the upcoming Thespian Induction Ceremony and Theatre Awards Night on May 12 at 7 p.m., an evening to honor the hard work and talent of NRHS’s young thespians.
Royal Harmony, the school’s show choir, also had a record-breaking year, delivering a competition season filled with passion, perseverance, and a powerful message. Their show, “I Am Because We Are,” rooted in the African philosophy of “Ubuntu,” emphasized unity and mutual humanity.
Royal Harmony's success was not just felt at home. Their journey through the regional show choir circuit included top honors and finals placements at prestigious events, culminating in a groundbreaking win at the Kenton Cup, where they took home overall Grand Champion — a first in program history.
The students closed the presentation with a performance of “If You’re Out There” by John Legend, showcasing the group’s vocal and emotional range, and extended an open invitation to Royal Harmony’s Final Applause concert on May 14 at 7 p.m.. This free event promises a night of inspiring performances and heartfelt farewells as the whole choir program celebrates its most successful season yet.