At the start of the meeting, their adviser was the bearer of bad news. The school's principal, Marc Guarino, made the decision to cancel the Spring production of RENT: The School Edition, a watered-down version of the Tony Award-Winning musical by Jonathan Larson..
Guarino arrived at the meeting and was asked many questions such as: "Why?," "Will we ever get to put RENT on?," "Who is responsible for this decision?," and "How can we change your mind?"
To answer the question "why?," Guarino felt that the topics discussed in RENT, such as homosexuality, and HIV/AIDS, were too "sensitive" or "controversial" for the Trumbull Community. As a new principal, he was unfamiliar with how the adults of the town would react with their children performing as drug addicts dying of AIDS. He also took full responsibility in the decision.
After two and a half hours of questioning, the students left with holes in their hearts. It would be the beginning of a long and still-going journey for a group of high school students.
The THeSpians have shown great maturity in publicizing and gathering support for the beloved musical. That night, the THeSPians president, Larissa Mark, took charge and began a Facebook page "Trumbull for Rent." Overnight, this page gained over 3000 likes, including people from other states and countries. On Twitter, "#justiceforrent" started to trend almost immediately after the meeting. Many students reached out to celebrities via Twitter.
On November 26, the students collected 1,516 signatures from fellow students at THS, a majority of the school and over 400 signatures from the adults of Trumbull. "#justiceforrent" was no longer a dream for the THeSpians.
Mark and several other students have appeared on several news station discussing the fight.
On November 27, Guarino announced that he would reconsider the decision. At a Board of Education meeting on December 4, a letter from Guarino, not in attendance, was read. It stated that RENT: The School Edition would not be performed at Trumbull High School for the 2013-2014 school year.
Timothy M. Herbst, the first-selectman of Trumbull, came out with a statement that Friday that he hoped would open up a dialogue between the students, Board of Education, community and Guarino. He explained that an alternative to RENT being put on during the school year would be to have Trumbull Youth Association put on RENT the next summer.
TYA came back to say that it was not a possibility for the group, seeing that it was an all-inclusive program in which anyone in Connecticut ages 13-21 could participate. RENT: The School Edition was geared for students up to age 18. TYA would have to turn away three years-worth of participants.
Many parents and students were in attendance at Board of Education meetings to express their concern. One parent of a THS student, Denise Mather, put many people's feelings into a speech that she delivered at one meeting. "The production of RENT at our high school would do nothing more than promote love, acceptance, tolerance and friendship. HIV, addiction and homosexuality is an everyday occurrence in this town and your schools."
On December 10, after many offers from other theatres to put on the production for the students, including the Goodspeed Opera House, Herbst announced via the radio station, WICC, that he and Mr. Guarino were ready and commited to bringing RENT to the halls of THS this school year.
Everyone rejoiced, but was brought, yet again, an abrupt end, The next day Guarino released a letter saying that the production was to be put on April 30-May 4, instead of the normal show weekend, March 24-30. The reason for this change was so that the school could provide the students and community with workshops and information about the topics addressed in RENT.
The decision to change the date ignored all of the student activities in the coming spring that could conflict with the new dates. Between a choir concert tour of England in early April, AP testing to start promptly on May 5, spring sports and a Bicen competition, the students have full schedules that never were in conflict with the musical before this. Last Wednesday, December 11, many students and parents spoke of their concerns about the date change at a BoE meeting. It would be impossible for many of the students to participate in the musical if the show weekend was changed.
Guarino is due to make a decision before the students leave the school on Friday, December 20, for their winter vacation.
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| THeSpians at the 2013 Connecticut High School Theatre Musical Awards Gala. They took home four awards for their production "Crazy for You." |
Katherine A. Griffin
Sophomore
Trumbull High School
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