Love abounds in `The Prom' at Chico State
Themes of love, inclusivity and acceptance run through the upcoming Chico State stage production of “The Prom.”
Matthew Teague Miller is the director of “The Prom.” Miller is also an associate professor of theater, program coordinator for the musical theater bachelor of fine arts and associate chair of the department of music and theater at Chico State.
“The themes are of a topical nature and it's a pretty special show,” Miller said. “As a teacher, it's been a fun and fulfilling experience. I had hoped the students would resonate with the material.”
The cast is made up of 25 students, most of whom are musical theater majors and the crew members are also students.
“We have a student choreographer, Emily Bunje, who has demonstrated an outstanding ability to choreograph dances,” Miller said.
Bunje is a musical theater major and is graduating in May. She also plays Shelby in the show.
“Choreographing this show has been awesome,” Bunje said. “It's the final capstone to my time here at Chico State.”
Bunje has been acting since she was in the fourth grade.
“This is one of the best casts I've ever worked with,” Bunje said. “Everyone is happy to be there and ready to work.”
Arianna Nelson plays Alyssa Greene, who is secretly Emma Nolan's girlfriend. Her mother in the show is the head of the PTA and cancels the prom so Nolan “I tried out for Alyssa,” Nelson said. “I relate to her character in a lot of ways and I like playing her.”
“It's a hilarious show,” she said. “The Broadway stars are super funny, but it's also a very heartfelt story. I love playing characters who have so much truth to them.”
Theater majors are required to perform in two to three shows during their time at Chico State.
“I think people should come see the show,” Nelson said. “It's a beautiful story and it's about love and accepting people and having the courage to be who you truly are.”
Musical theater major Jackson Daitano is receiving his BFA next month. He plays Broadway star Barry Glickman in “The Prom.”
Taitano said he has been involved in theater all of his life. “Whenever my would force my siblings to do a little play.”
Olivia Moffat is a senior at Chico State majoring in musical theater. She plays the role of Nolan in “The Prom.”
Moffat has acted in shows but has also worked in wardrobe and has done props for other shows. Her true love is being onstage though and she said “her heart belongs onstage.”
Moffat loved the story behind “The Prom” and decided to audition.
“The story is beautiful,” she said. “It's really poignant and it is a story not traditionally told on stage. Being a queer person it's cool to see myself on stage, and I'm glad to be a vessel for someone else.”
Charlie Cave is also a musical theater major. He plays Trent Oliver in the show, who is an “out of touch, down on his luck Broadway “The Prom” is Cave's sixth show at Chico State and he works in the costume shop there. He's building a prom dress for Nelson.
“I love doing costumes for this show,” he said. “I'm painting cowboy boots red, white and blue.”
“The Prom” runs May 2-5 at Laxson Auditorium at Chico State and is presented by the Chico State Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. May 2-4 and there is a matinee at 2 p.m. May 4 and 5. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $8 for youth and Chico State students. Tickets are available through the University Box Office at www. csuchico.edu/soa.Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 530-898-6333 or by coming in person to the box office which is located at the corner of West Third and Chestnut streets.