Downey theater students perform 'Legally Blonde JR' in front of enthusiastic audience

DUSD Musical Theatre Conservatory students with Director Andrea Pyle.

DOWNEY — This past week, Downey Unified School District’s Musical Theatre Conservatory (MTC) presented “Legally Blonde JR.” at Stauffer Middle School with a diverse double cast of 44 middle school students from throughout DUSD.

Stauffer Principal Dr. Allison Box greeted an audience of all ages, including students, families, community members, DUSD Board of Education Vice President Nancy Swenson, along with former Board Member and City Council Member Donald La Plante. It’s quite remarkable that all DUSD middle schools have drama departments.

Director and Stauffer drama teacher Andrea Pyle welcomed the audience, encouraged them to have fun, and take pictures. We can do with more teachers like Mrs. Pyle. More about her later.

The audience was enthusiastic. Lots of applause and cheers; even more when the curtain came down. And when the cast later entered the auditorium, joy on faces, smiles and hugs. What an opportunity and experience.

“Legally Blonde JR.” follows the transformation of Elle Woods (Caighsi Currie/Briseis Elva Ayala-Soriano) as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Along the way we learn a little bit about female empowerment and sisterhood.

Elle is a fashion and merchandising major at UCLA, and President of the Delta Nu sorority. “Barbie” has nothing on Elle, whose fashion statement color is all shades of pink. There’s even a line, “All that pink you are wearing, is that even legal?”

When Elle’s boyfriend Warner (Dominic Alexander Olivera/Jose Anival Zepeda III) dumps her claiming she’s not serious enough, and heads off to Harvard Law, Elle takes matters into her own hands. Scoring 175 on the LSAT, she uses her own personal strengths to overcome prejudices, and gains entrance to Harvard herself.

Befriending classmate Emmett (Adam Rodriguez) and spunky hairdresser Paulette (Lia Mendoza/Kaylin Arminian), Elle finds that books and her passion for fashion aren’t mutually exclusive.

An unethical professor (Daniel Miranda/Michael Olvea) hits on Elle. Emmett supervises her in a trial, where it is her insight that successfully defends her client, Brooke (Nathalie Gadea/Gerna Flores Ramirez). Elle graduates as valedictorian, proposes to Emmett, and everyone celebrates their legally blonde friend.

Legally Blonde JR.” is based on Amanda Brown’s true story and novel that became the 2001 movie starring Reese Witherspoon. In 2007, it was adapted into the Tony-nominated “Legally Blonde - The Musical”. In 2019, Musical Theatre International (MTI) adapted it as “Legally Blonde JR.” in collaboration with Laurence O’Keefe and Neil Benjamin (Music and Lyrics), and Heather Hatch (Book).

Choreography was by Anisa Diaz, with vocal training by Athena Hansen. Stage Manager was high school student Sebastian Velasco.

Lighting was by Jeffrey Toussieng. Toussieng is a retired former DPD Officer who taught the DARE Program in DUSD Elementary Schools. He voluntarily provides the elaborate lighting equipment and projectors, hangs them, and runs the light board. He is self-taught, and also builds the sets. After the play was over, he was cleaning up before the next performance. Previously he volunteered his time and equipment at DARE graduations, at West Middle School Drama, and at the Sarah Jameson Theatre at Doty Middle School. On Monday, he extended the stage for the upcoming “The Lion King JR” set, which Stauffer will rent from the Calvary Chapel.

Teacher/Director Pyle wears two hats: Stauffer drama teacher, and director of the after school DUSD Musical Theatre Conservatory. She has three classes of 6th grade drama, two classes of 7/8 advanced drama, and Video Production that produces Spartan TV.

She says, “I’ve never been so busy in my life!” Her own two children, ages 7 and 9, are currently in rehearsals for “Elf JR.”

DUSD Musical Theatre Conservatory director and Stauffer Middle School drama teacher Andrea Pyle.

Pyle is a musical theatre graduate from the Orange County High School for the Arts (OCHSA). She has a BA in English, an MA in Secondary Education, and a teaching credential from CSUF. She has been a teacher at Stauffer for 16 years, where she began teaching English and only one drama class. She credits support from former Principal Alyda Mir, and the administrators that followed, that now allows her to teach a full load of drama along with TV and film. Stauffer Middle School Drama will present “The Lion King JR.” Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. Next semester, Stauffer drama presents “Peter Pan JR.”

The Stauffer stage is a challenge. Little or no wing space. Only one back door. Costume changes and Green Rooms are in two nearby classrooms. An onstage quick costume change area. So, set changes and costume changes take some time. Surprisingly the digital soundtrack covers it all.

There are lots of costumes; lots of pink for Elle. That can be expensive, but Pyle rents what she needs from a very helpful New York costume company.

Students from Stauffer feed into the Warren High School Drama Department. Two of Pyle’s students were accepted into the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), the number one arts school in the country. LACHSA is open to all high school students in Los Angeles County.

In 2007, Pyle applied successfully to the Mary R. Stauffer Foundation, who provided funds for the original sound system, wireless mics, curtains, and equipment.

In 2021, Pyle applied to the highly competitive American Theatre Wing, and successfully received the only award in California: $8,353 to replace the sound system, and sound board. It is impressive.

“By ensuring students’ access to the arts, we don’t just help instill a lifelong appreciation for theatre, we also support empathy-building, problem-solving, creative-thinking, and a whole range of crucial life skills,” said Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing. “We are so proud to support these 12 Title 1 schools and their educators, who go above and beyond to provide quality arts education to their communities.”

In 2022, the President of the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities (DFEO), Mathew Knox, and DUSD Administrators, including Assistant Superintendent Roger Brossmer, joined together and created the DUSD Musical Theatre Conservatory (MTC). DFEO provides funds for MTC through their Encore Program. It is a free after school program available to all middle school students in DUSD, and the performances are free to the community.

Middle School students audition for the Musical Theatre Conservatory (MTC) with a song and a monologue. They are responsible for their own transportation. Attendance is mandatory Monday through Friday from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm.

Auditions and rehearsals for “Legally Blonde JR” began in August. Next semester, MCT will hold auditions for “Matilda JR.”

Pyle says it’s great working with Musical Theatre International (MTI), from which she acquires the rights for the musicals.

“They know we have a free program with free performances so they give us a deal,” Pyle said.

And they provide a complete ShowKit.

Musical Theatre International (MTI) is itself a bit of a phenomenon. It was founded in 1952 by Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award winner Frank Loesser, best known for his music and lyrics for “Guys And Dolls”.

In 1996, MTI launched its enormously popular Broadway Junior musicals which are approved by the original authors, with music in key’s appropriate for developing voices. Productions are 60 to 90 minutes. Each license includes a ShowKit with actor’s books, director’s guide, digital music tracks, vocal and performance guide, and downloadable resources.

IN 2003, MTI was awarded a Tony Award in Excellence for creating Broadway Junior, and audience building programs in musical theatre. MTI has greatly changed the nature of how we experience Broadway style musical theatre production.

Over 25 million audience members in North America attend a MTI musical each year. Over 1 million families take part in a MTI musical each year. There are over 100,000 MTI performances each year. Over 70,000 professional, regional, community, elementary, middle and high schools license MTI shows. Over 25,000 MTI productions take place each year. Over 1,000 MTI productions take place across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and the Middle East.