Could the next Scott Pearson be among the young performers taking the stage this weekend in Tosa East's production of "The SpongeBob Musical"?
Like today's students, Pearson once walked the halls of the school before graduating in 1960. Years later, he was a member of the original cast of the huge Broadway hit "A Chorus Line," which opened in 1975. Now, the custom-made gold hat he wore in that show is on display in an exhibit honoring Pearson in the lobby of Tosa East's Dale K. Hidde Theatre.
Tosa East Theater Director Colleen Jaskulski, in an interview this week in the theater's lobby, said the unveiling of the exhibit earlier this year was an exciting moment for her students.
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"I think this is proof to those kids who might have more of an interest in theater, that it doesn't have to stop here, and if it really is something that you're passionate about, there are people who came from this building who went on to do the thing that you want to do," Jaskulski said.
Many of her students also take pride in helping to preserve the school's theater history, much of which is represented in a modest museum that the school opened in 2023 in a series of rooms behind the balcony of the theater. It will be open for viewing this weekend when the theater is open for showings of "The SpongeBob Musical" at 7 p.m. April 24, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 25 and 2 p.m. April 26. (Tickets are available here.)