Performing Arts
Annual Play
Portage Central's Annual Play allows students to develop skills in the many aspects of theatre, including, but not limited to, costume design, stage management, run crew, acting, and hair/makeup design. The Annual Play is typically a smaller ensemble when compared to the school musical with a focus on educational theatre, meaning that both highly experienced theatre students and students without theatre experience can come together than put together an excellent production. Listen to the announcements for audition times or reach out to Ms. Bowen or Mr. Frink.
Play Director
Ashley Bowen
abowen@portageps.org
Phone: 269-323-5310
Tech Director
Jason Frink
jfrink@portageps.org
Phone: 269-323-5350
Musical
Each year the award-winning theatre department at Portage Central High School presents a Musical for our community to enjoy. As a high school program, we view ourselves as an educational program that provides professional-level opportunities for actors, technicians, and musicians. Past productions include Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, and Mamma Mia. Portage Central Performing Arts also prides itself on producing area and national premieres of challenging pieces such as the critically acclaimed 2012 production of The Phantom of the Opera and Big Fish's 2019 production. Big Fish was also awarded Best Musical in Michigan by the Sutton Foster Ovation Awards in the 2018/2019 school year.
Musical Director
Ashley Bowen
abowen@portageps.org
Phone: 269-323-5310
Tech Director
Jason Frink
jfrink@portageps.org
Phone: 269-323-5350
Forensics
Forensics is the competitive public speaking team. There are twelve public speaking categories--six that are Public Address/Speech events: Broadcasting, Impromptu, Extemp, Oratory, Sales, and Informative--and six that are interpretation events: Storytelling, Prose, Poetry, Dramatic interpretation, Duo interpretation, and Multiple interpretation. Forensics starts practicing in January, but competitions are in late February, March, April, and early May.
Forensics Director
Tyler Baas-Peterson
tbaas@portageps.org
Phone: 269-323-5312