Introduction

From a sold-out performance of “Singin’ in the Rain” to art students winning a regional competition, the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department has found success all spring. The Talon commends every student-performer and artist for exceptional work on the stage and in the studio, and thanks community members for supporting Los Altos High School’s arts programs.

Singin’ in the Rain Fills the Eagle Theater

From Feb. 5 to 7, singers, dancers, actors and musicians took over the Eagle Theater in “Singin’ in the Rain,” LAHS’s biennial musical. The audience was packed for all four shows, with the Friday and Saturday night performances nearly selling out.

According to junior Mateo Serrano, practices throughout December and January lasted three hours a day, even extending to five on the weekend. 

Volare Wins Festival in SoCal

Last weekend, Volare Choir won first place in the 3A Concert Choir category and the Adjudicator’s Award at the World Strides Anaheim Heritage Festival. The group competed against eight other concert choirs from across the U.S.

“It was definitely a reward because we had put so much hard work into our music, and it was a rare moment of pride,” senior Caila Kim said. “We are a solid group of singers who are passionate about what we do and that carries through our music.”

Caila added that this festival was “preparation” for an upcoming, larger event — the Golden State Choral Competition, which will be significantly more selective.

Volare and other LAHS choirs also performed in their annual Spring Sing concert on March 18, showcasing their vocals in small groups in front of a larger-than-usual crowd, according to Caila.

Acting I – successful first show

Acting I students and Creative Writing playwrights recently brought original student scripts to life through two showcases, “The Descent” and “Slice of Life,” performed March 10-11 in the Eagle Theatre. The productions marked the culmination of months of work, turning pieces that previously underwent professional staged readings into full-on performances.

Because many students took on unfamiliar roles in directing, tech and production, this collaboration with playwrights significantly enhanced students’ understanding of theater, according to acting teacher Lisa Battle.

Blue Broadway – Beetlejuice Musical

Blue Broadway is back and bigger than ever. What began with just 10 cast members performing a shortened, 45-minute musical in the cafeteria evolved into a full production in the Eagle Theater.

Now in its third year, the entirely student-run program is taking on “Beetlejuice Jr.,” set to premiere on April 3. 

Although Blue Broadway works with Battle and Theater Coordinator Myles Rowland on their productions, the process is still independent and student-led — from directing, sound, set design and acting. 

“There’s a lot of trust that goes into [Blue Broadway],” said Beetlejuice Jr. co-director junior Mazie Reidy. “It’s not the same as a class, but it’s a lot of voluntary action that we’re taking to make it happen, because we all want to be a part of it.” 

The Editorial Board is looking forward to Blue Broadway’s production of Beetlejuice Jr. 

NUMU – Award for visual arts

Every year, LAHS art teachers encourage their students to submit to the ArtNow competition

hosted by New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) — for the last 11 years, art teacher Chrstine An said the competition has been a large part of her curriculum. 

“ArtNow is one of the rare programs that rewards students for the inherent value of art,” An said.

Unsurprisingly, LAHS students typically earn awards. From the 2026 theme Before / Between / Beyond, the following artists are recognized for their exhibited work. 

• Tilly Burgart – Grade 10
• Raghav Sharma – Grade 10
• Natalie Cheung – Grade 10
• Anna Davidson – Grade 10
• Ashley Avidan – Grade 11
• Eli Hill – Grade 11
• Mihika Kamat – Grade 11
• Aundy Pekelsma – Grade 11
• Mia Scott – Grade 11
• Niki Tan – Grade 12
• Kennedy Hautop – Grade 12

Out of 600 plus submissions, NUMU chose 97 works across 36 high schools to be exhibited in their gallery from March 27 to July 19. Out of these 97, 11 are LAHS students — the most out of any school. 

On May 2, the museum will host a celebration — free for admission — to announce the winners in each category: drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, digital art, sculpture and print making.

Broken Box prepares for “Our Town”

Broken Box rehearses for their last play of the school year, “Our Town,” set to perform at the end of April. With just five weeks to prepare, Broken Box students said this play is especially difficult as many actors must perform multiple roles. 

“Everyone was kind of daunted by [only having five weeks] at first,” senior Nora Saraci-Alonso said. “But we’ve had less time to put together shows and we always pull through. Things have been going pretty smoothly.”

“Our Town” will come to the stage April 23-25 in the Eagle Theater. Tickets can be bought online or at the box office with a student discount. 

Conclusion 

As The Talon’s Editorial Board, we have noticed a decrease in school spirit and participation over the past few months. However, thanks to this semester’s VAPA events, we’ve noticed that school spirit has been reinvigorated. We congratulate the students and staff members who have been involved in any arts programs recently. 

If you have not had the opportunity to attend a concert, show or gallery at LAHS, the Editorial Board highly encourages you to do so. Go witness the hard work and dedication that our VAPA students put into every exhibition!