50 Andrew Jarvis Drive, Portsmouth, NH-03801,
Tel: (603) 436-7100, FAX: (603) 427-2320

Drama

The Drama Department presents three to five plays each school year. The fall production is traditionally a musical with a large cast and technical production staff. In the past few years, "Peter Pan," "Fame," and "The Sound of Music" have been presented as some of the fall musicals. In the second semester, the Department presents the Spring Play. This production is presented in late March or early April and can be a drama, a comedy or sometimes a smaller-scale musical. Also in the spring, the Drama Department often presents shorter plays with a focus on social problems such as teen pregnancy, drug abuse, etc. In late spring, the Department will often present a touring play for children. The Department also often participates in the New Hampshire Drama Festival Competition.

The Drama Department places equal emphasis on both the on-stage and offstage aspects of the plays being presented each year. There are no special requirements or prerequisites for becoming involved in the PHS productions. Those who wish to be involved in the performing aspects of the production must audition for each production. For those who wish to participate in production and technical work, no auditions are necessary and any student is invited to participate

The Department is housed in what has been described as one of the finest high school theater facilities in the state of New Hampshire. The auditorium seats 1,050 with an unobstructed view of the stage. It features a state-of-the-art computer-controlled lighting system, and an up-to-date sound-reinforcement system.

The Faculty
Wendell S. Purrington - Dept. Head - Director of Arts