Chino Hills HS Theatre: STTS Drama Department

Send us Fan MailCourage looks different under stage lights. We sit down at Chino Hills High School’s theater to unpack how a training-first program turns nervous auditions into confident performances, and how a tight-knit ensemble carries each other through missed cues, costume malfunctions, and the rush of opening night. With director Kerry Rupe at the helm and students Anthony, Drake, Angie, and Shelby sharing the mic, we trace real journeys from backstage to center stage—and the life skills that stick long after the curtain falls.We dive into the choices that built a powerhouse program: closing some productions to class members to strengthen commitment and shared vocabulary, then keeping the spring musical open to discover hidden talent school-wide. The team breaks down how ambitious titles like Little Shop of Horrors, Newsies, Puffs, and Legally Blonde come to life with serious sets, lighting, sound, and costumes. You’ll hear why tech isn’t background—it’s a character with its own voice—and how stage management and design develop leadership, empathy, and precision. Along the way, students explain how theater became their community, contrasting the scoreboard pressure of sports with the ensemble mindset that meets people where they are and grows them.We also explore how the program reaches beyond the stage. From the Princess Tea fundraiser that doubles as long-form improv training to PR crews mixing hallway posters with TikTok and Instagram, this group treats outreach like part of the craft. Cross-school partnerships boost attendance and celebrate a bigger truth: there’s room for everyone when the goal is great theater. As Little Shop heads into tech week, energy runs high, ticket sales climb, and students reflect on dancing, timing, and playing iconic roles with fresh choices. It’s a portrait of arts education at its best—bold shows, steady mentorship, and a culture that turns fear into fuel.If you care about student creativity, community theater, or the behind-the-scenes alchemy that makes a musical sing, hit play and share this one with a friend. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell us: what moment first made you fall in love with the stage?Instagramchinohillshstheatre (@chinohillshstheatre) | TikTokCHHS TheatreFind STTS:Steps To The Stage (@stepstothestage) | InstagramFacebookSteps To The Stage (buzzsprout.com)Steps To The Stage - YouTubePlease follow on your favorite podcast platform and we appreciate 5 Star ratings and positive reviews!