Theater Gets New Curtain In Time For Spring Musical

The Montville Township High School Dr. Robert O. Stafford Auditorium [MTHS] received a new curtain last week, just in time for the March 13 premiere of the musical, “The Wizard of Oz.”

The velour grand drape was a gift to MTHS from the Student Activities Council [SAC]. The curtain, black with gold trim, was installed by Bloomfield Drapery on Wednesday, March 5. The installation took more than 5 hours to complete.

“We were all really for it,” explained junior and SAC Recording Secretary, Jillian Mizraji, about the purchase of the new curtain. “Especially with the play coming up.”

The discovery of the need for a new curtain came to the attention of MTHS administrators during a recent stage floor refinishing project.

“Unfortunately,” explained Principal, Douglas Sanford, “because of age, wear and tear, and the installation of a large projector screen hidden behind the valance, the old curtain was in a state of disrepair that needed to be addressed.”

Finding themselves in the waning months of the budget year and with a musical about to open, MTHS administrators were unsure where financing for a replacement curtain would come from.

“Coincidentally, the SAC had been brainstorming and investigating ideas for gifts to the school,” Sanford said.

The SAC, under the guidance of advisor and math teacher, Laura Rivera, is in charge of coordinating and supporting all student activity groups within the community. Sanford made the group aware of the auditorium’s curtain needs at a monthly student luncheon.

“Drama Club only gets two productions a year,” explained Jay Sirot, Junior Vice-President of SAC. “That’s it. That’s all they get, and they work really hard. So, we want them to look nice.”

During the installation, four members of the SAC executive committee were on hand. They commented on the high quality of the new curtain and were excited that from now on all activities that take place in the MTHS auditorium will benefit from the updated drape.

“It looks really nice,” noted senior, Shannon Chang, SAC President. “I’m excited for the play now.”

The new curtain cost $3,000 to purchase and install. The cloth has flame retardant additives woven into the fabric which allows the school to eliminate the expense of mandatory annual flame retardant chemical applications. The SAC allocated money for the curtain from funds that were absorbed from disbanded clubs and now graduated classes.

The MTHS spring musical runs Thursday through Saturday, March 13, 14 and 15 at 7:30 PM. There is also a 2 PM show on March 15. MTHS is located at 100 Horseneck Road in Montville, NJ.