New York High School Students Thrill At Special Performance of Hamilton

The excitement beforehand

The students of Bronx Leadership Academy II High School, Bronx; The Bronxwood Preparatory Academy, Bronx; Brooklyn High School of the Arts, Brooklyn; Brooklyn International High School, Brooklyn; Achievement First University Prep High School, Brooklyn; Brooklyn Theater Arts High School, Brooklyn; Channel View School for Research, Queens; Community School for Social Justice, Bronx; Democracy Prep Harlem High School, Manhattan; East Side Community School, Manhattan; High School for Teaching and the Professions, Bronx; International High School at LaGuardia Community College, Queens; John Adams High School, Queens; Landmark High School, New York; Mott Haven Village Preparatory High School, Bronx; Repertory Company High School for Theater Arts, New York and School for Democracy and Leadership, Brooklyn, all learned the magic when they were invited to see Broadway’s mega hit Hamilton at Wednesday December 20th matinee. Thanks to  The Rockefeller Foundation, the Gilder Lehrman Institute and the NYC Department of Education.

The empty set

The students arrived and stood on a line early in the morning and waited with great anticipation. Before the matinee selected students presented  their original  works on the Richard Rogers Stage surrounded by the Hamilton sets. Each performer was met with cheers and support by fellow students in the audience. I was impressed by each performer, as they took the stages and showed off their hard work and preparation. The student presentation was followed by a Q & A with some of the Broadway cast members of Hamilton. There was an hour and a half lunch break before the students returned to the theater. As the each cast member came on the stage to begin the show the audience screamed and cheered. At the end of the show every student jumped up and gave the cast a standing ovation with loud cheers. Speaking to some of the students after the show they were happy to share with me their first experience  seeing a Broadway show. Everyone of them said they were thrilled and and hope to see more shows.

Students living the dream

Students living the dream

Students living the dream

Students living the dream

Stephanie Klemons

Stephanie Klemons, Jordan Fischer

Jordan Fischer, Rory O’Malley

Eliza Ohman, Sasha Hollinger Jordan Fischer, Rory O’Malley

Eliza Ohman, Sasha Hollinger Jordan Fischer, Rory O’Malley

Eliza Ohman, Jordan Fischer, Rory O’Malley, Syndee Winters