• The Oak Park High School Drama Department presents four theater productions annually.  Each year, they present a Shakespeare production, a Fall Production, a Shakespeare Production, a Spring Musical, and a Spotlight play at year-end.  The Spotlight play is entirely student-produced and directed.  The Fall Production, Shakespeare and the Musical are produced by the Oak Park Performing Arts Alliance (OPPAA).
     
    The Oak Park Performing Arts Alliance (OPPAA) is a community of parent volunteers whose goal is to support the OPHS Drama Department in various ways.   We rely heavily on our caring and dedicated parent volunteers for their support.  Our volunteers donate goods, services, funds, and also hundreds of volunteer hours for each production, and the success of the program would not be possible without them!   Here’s a general list of OPPAA’s production responsibilities and tasks for each show.  Keep in mind that we are financially responsible for the items on this list:
    *   Coordination of cast auditions (including  audition headshots) and call-backs
    *    Organizing cast Parent Meetings, printing Spirit Packs, and maintaining cast rosters
    *    Cast and crew evening meals for the final week of rehearsals/performances
    *    Financing all stage dressing  and sets
    *    Financing the rental rights to scripts and music
    *    Provide a program donation to the school
    *   Professional services when needed, such as choreography and musical accompaniment
    *   Printing cast and crew scripts, and purchasing script binders
    *   Rental and maintenance of sound equipment, when necessary
    *   Creating, renting, and/or purchasing all props
    *   Costuming – rentals, purchases, sewing, alterations, and cleaning
    *   Make-up, hair dressing, and wigs
    *   Coordinating with videographer
    *   Photography
    *   Ticket printing and sales
    *   Advertising with local merchants and local newspaper
    *   Program design, layout, and printing
    *   Concessions at performances
    *   Cast t-shirts
    *   Cast party
     
    Aside from producing the shows, OPPAA also has an annual Senior Scholarship program.  Each year, OPPAA awards scholarships to college-bound senior students who have participated in the Drama Department productions and wish to continue on in the Arts during their college careers. 
     
     Another one of OPPAA's goals is to raise and earmark funds for the enhancement of the Drama Program at OPHS.  Last year OPPAA funded the permanent lighting and sound booth in the pavilion as well as provided several updates to the sound equipment.  Already this year OPPAA purchased a shed to house our costumes and props as well as new microphones.
     
    It really does take a village to produce successful plays and to provide a safe and fun atmosphere for our actors and crew.  OPPAA relies on its dedicated parents to provide volunteer time, goods, and financial support in order to ensure the success of this fantastic program.  Please come join us at an OPPAA meeting and see what it's all about.  Whether you have lots of time to spare or just a little, whether you're a theater buff with a creative flair or not, there are always lots of ways to get involved for parents and students alike.  Don't be shy about asking how you can fit in - we'd love to hear from you!  We appreciate every minute our volunteers can spare.  And, the energy and enthusiasm of the kids is contagious - we guarantee you'll have a good time!
     
    The governing Board of OPPAA for the 2015-2016 school year consists of the following members:
     
    Ellyn Schneider eschneid@sbcglobal.net
    Maria Stermer   maria@hoffmanstermer.com
    Carla Schnurr    cmonty65@mac.com
    Amy Friedman  amy.friedman@mac.com
    Jan Rosen          janrosen5@gmail.com

     
     
    Feel free to contact OPPAA Board members with questions, suggestions, or concerns. 
     
Last Modified on October 4, 2015