Current students and graduates of Green Mountain High School’s theater, choir and orchestra programs took to the stage earlier this month to celebrate 50 years of performances at the Lakewood school, which opened in 1973, and to raise money for a new projector.
The concert included 20 performances featuring songs and compositions from a sample of the 37 plays and 36 musicals hosted in the school’s auditorium since the Fall of 1974 and the night also included loving tributes to retiring theater director Barbara Amberg and choir director Dave Gleason.
“Tonight, we are going to go through a journey of the last 50 years of theater here at Green Mountain High School,” said Lisa Hidalgo, Denver 7 meteorologist and class of ‘96 alum.
“We have alumni not only that you’re going to see on stage but also in the audience – anywhere from the class of 1987 to now, said Hildago, who recalled how her theater experience at Green Mountain gave her the stage presence and confidence to pursue an on-air career.
“I have to tell you that I grew such a thick skin being on the stage and being a part of this theater and he (retired theater director Bud Simmons) is probably the No. 1 person in this school who brought me to where I am today,” Hidalgo said.
Class of ‘87 alum Steve Staley sang the 1986 audition song from his performance in “The Boyfriend” and recalled how a terrified and reluctant 15-year-old Amberg conquered her stage fright and won a part.
Amberg graduated from Green Mountain in 1987 and later returned to lead the theater program for 27 years. During that time, she said her favorite part of teaching was seeing kids come out of their shells and gain confidence.
Gleason, who spent 33 years teaching choir, 19 of which at Green Mountain, said he doesn’t think he would’ve enjoyed teaching anything else. “I love watching them perform on stage and come alive. These are young adults at their very best when they are performing, and that’s always great to be a part of,” he said.
“Students who take choir are creative, bright and love music, so I see some of myself in all of them as soon as they walk through my door for the first time. I also love that the majority of my students take my class all four years of high school, so I get to watch them mature and start to establish their identities from ages 14-18,” Gleason said.
Amberg said she’s looking forward to never setting an alarm to wake up again. At the same time, Gleason plans to enjoy spending time outdoors, mountain biking, hiking and skiing on weekdays, along with other passions he hasn’t had time to pursue.
Gleason, who hopes music remains a part of his students’ lives, said, “I’ve said it many times before, but my students have taught me much more than I’ve taught them. I’ve learned never to generalize or stereotype because everybody is an individual with their own strengths.”
Courtney Capek, a current Green Mountain teacher and ‘04 alum, will take over the theater director position next fall.
“I get the chance and the privilege to not only work under Barbara Amberg this year,” Capek said. “But I also get to carry on the legacy that you have so beautifully built. I will do everything in my power every day to make sure to make you and the kids proud for as long as Green Mountain will have me.”
The concert ended with around 60 current and former theater and choir alumni joining the night’s performers to sing “Seasons of Love” from the musical “Rent.”
Fundraising continues
“We were able to raise a little over $5,000 with the concert,” Amberg said. “We don’t get any funding from the state, the district or the school, and sometimes saving up to buy stuff takes a while. Currently, we are saving to buy a $54,000 architectural panel that will allow the LED lighting and the older incandescent lighting to operate together.
“The last upgrade to the school auditorium was in 1996,” Amberg continued. “The money from the concert will go toward a new projector. The bid was for $35,000, so we are going to keep on going.”
Anyone wanting to donate can go to the Colorado Gives Green Mountain High School Theatre site.