Behind the Curtain, CHS Thespians Bring Anastasia: the Musical to Life

Our Clackamas High School Thespian Troupe 2351 is bringing Anastasia: The Musical to the stage Saturday, November 6 for opening night, through November 15, at 7 p.m. in the CHS auditorium. Behind the performance is a shared effort connecting actors, backstage workers, and directing staff.

Set construction, costumes, and technical design help give the story a world beyond the script. Scenery establishes the spaces the characters inhabit, costumes help communicate identity and technical design shapes what the audience sees and hears. For troupe 2351, those contributions belong alongside the performances, not behind them in importance. Actors, backstage workers, and directing staff recognize that the production depends on each person’s daily work.

That teamwork supports a story about finding a future without being controlled by the past. Anya, a forgotten girl who is truly the lost princess Anastasia, seeks a return to Paris after years of suffering in Petersburg. Through experiences and relationships, Anya regains lost memories alongside the quippy ex-aristocrat Vladimir and daring trickster Dimitri. Juniors Sabrina Goumnadji, Xeno Van Kol, Charles Hyatt, and Ian Tran bring their talents to the pivotal roles of Anya, Dimitri, Vlad, and Gleb, respectively.

Connection matters offstage, too. Senior Eden Anderson, prop lead and troupe co-president, makes a point of maintaining strong bonds among thespians both onstage and away from rehearsals. That attention to relationships reflects the production’s central messages: family, self-discovery, and holding on to a sense of identity during difficult times. We want audiences to leave thinking about how connection can help people move forward.

Care for the people making the show has also shaped the process. After a harrowing event in our Oregon community, the director checked in with actors and technicians to make sure everyone was able and willing to proceed, particularly because the musical includes violent scenes. Those conversations were part of keeping the thespian community a safe space for everyone involved.

Beyond Anastasia, Troupe 2351 plans to perform the Scottish play and bring more CHS students into Troupe 2351. We also want to expand outreach throughout the greater Clackamas area and find events beyond full productions where performers can get their start. Building on this work means making room for more students, whether their interests lead them toward a role onstage, a costume, a set, or a technical cue.

Anastasia: The Musical showing dates: November 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th. Sunday showings are at 2:00 PM; other showings are at 7:00 PM.