Nineteen years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione save the wizarding world, they return on an extraordinary new adventure. This time, they arrive in Wilton, staging the high school edition of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
As one of the first 28 high schools across the country to premiere the production, all four shows sold out, emphasizing the buzz around the talent and dedication of the WHS Theater Department.
The High School Edition of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, is based on the original story by J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne, however, the plot introduces a new generation of wizards that arrive at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The adaptation focuses on character development and dialogue. Trimming some technical requirements from the professional production allows the young cast to shine while portraying the characters’ emotional depth. The themes of friendship, redemption, and identity were brought to life through heartfelt and emotional performances, often resonating with the high school audience’s own experiences.
Lee Lugo, a Junior at WHS stated: “As someone who has seen the actual play, this was a really good adaptation, especially for high school. The way that they added so much detail—the lighting, the music, the sound quality—was really impressive.”
The production enhanced the atmosphere with beautifully detailed backdrops that vividly captured the magic of the wizarding world. These backdrops, often hand-painted or digitally projected, depicted iconic locations such as Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest, and the Ministry of Magic with an artistic flair that complements the storytelling.
Furthermore, the staircase scene, with its thoughtful design and deep symbolism, quickly became a favorite among the audience. Another fan favorite was the flying effects previously seen in the WHS production of Mary Poppins, where the theater department was able to enhance the magic by having fellow wizards and villains fly during the production.
WHS Theater Department’s rendition of the plot successfully engaged the audience with both its magical storytelling and comedic moments. The production is a testament to the students’ talent, both as performers and creators, highlighting the power of collaboration in achieving something truly magical.
Their passion not only brought the beloved world of Harry Potter to life in a fresh way but also created a captivating experience that kept the audience invested from start to finish.
