From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Hewitt-Trussville High School Theater Department was selected as the first high school in Alabama to perform Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on stage.
The national contest by Broadway Licensing Global’s “Wands at the Ready” chose 29 winners as the first to perform the new high school edition in their U.S. state or territory, according to Playbill.
The competition asked schools why their school or community would be the most magical place to produce the show.
To be considered for and win the opportunity, HTHS Theater teacher Charlotte Clare Norris had to submit a paper and information on Hewitt-Trussville High School to Broadway Licensing Co.
In addition, students had to create a video explaining why HTHS would be the most magical place to perform the state premiere of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” High School Edition.
“I think Harry Potter has wonderful themes such as friendship, loyalty, redemption, and sacrificial love,” Norris said. “I’m so excited to present our production in fall 2024.”
Only three schools in three states, HTHS in Alabama, Dr. Phillips High School in Florida and Collierville High School in Tennessee were selected from the southeast United States.
“Winning schools will be able to perform the work later this year, between October 15 and November 10,” according to Playbill. “The productions will be considered the play’s first official stagings, though they will follow developmental pilot productions.”
For Norris, the opportunity is even more special because of her love for all things Harry Potter as a child.
“I am absolutely thrilled because the Harry Potter books and films were the highlight of my childhood,” Norris said. “My favorite quote from Harry Potter quote is, ‘Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.'”