TRINIDAD - It was just two months ago that the new performing arts class began at Trinidad High School. It was reintroduced to the school after a hiatus from the curriculum. Now, students from the class are making their final preparations for their first performance of a children's theater production titled, "The Crystal Crown."

The play will open April 7 at the Junior High Auditorium in Trinidad and run for four performances.

The renewed class and performing arts program is a collaborative project carried out by three community institutions: The Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre, the Trinidad Area Arts Council and the Trinidad School District #1. These organizations each recognized the desire among high school students to restore a class in the district.

Armed with the resources to help it reach new heights, officials from the SCRT and TAAC had independently prepared a proposal to the Bar NI Ranch for funding a program in the high school. Tom Perry, executive director of the Bar NI Ranch Community Service Fund, recognized the similarity of the proposals. After proposing the idea with the local funding committee, he then gathered the organizations to discuss a collaborative pursuit.

"This was the first time that the Bar NI Ranch's granting committee had considered supporting a collaborative grant," Perry said. "The project was in line with the Bar NI's values, and we could see that it would ignite and inspire new thinking among the students."

Last December, the organizations were awarded a collaborative grant of $5,250 awarded by the Bar NI Ranch Community Service Fund. Through the grant, the organizations were urged to work effectively together, and indeed, they have. The new program revives performing arts in the school district and has dual goals of developing theater skills and fostering an appreciation of theater arts among the students.

"Thanks to the generous grant award, we have been able to reintroduce the performing arts back into our high school," said Mike Tranter, superintendent of Trinidad School District 1.

The grant re-energized the opportunities for burgeoning performers of the school district and capitalized on the resources of the collaborating organizations.

The initial class consists of 8th- through 12th-grade students.

"The class encourages a lifelong capacity for teamwork, interpersonal communication, critical thinking and self-direction skills," Tranter said. "These are all essential 21st-century skills that will serve the students throughout their lifetimes. Through this class, students are directly benefiting from our efforts and our commitment to develop them as well-rounded, and most important, passionate and curious learners."

Under the guidance of veteran teacher and SCRT board member Carl De Bono, students have been introduced to acting principles, public speaking, cooperative interaction, cultural appreciation and music and dance performance.

De Bono came out of retirement to teach in the program in January, and not for the first time. De Bono began teaching theater as an instructor at Trinidad High School in 1968. After he retired in 2000, teachers Debbie Fiorenzi and Linda Pfalmer took over the program. But, in the spring of 2008, during the final nine weeks of the school year, De Bono returned to the classroom following Pfalmer's leave of absence.

But by the start of the 2008-09 school year, the class, and consequently the performing-arts program, were eliminated from the district's curriculum. It was then that SCRT and TAAC leaders began sketching plans to restart it.

"The revival of the class has been rewarding to see," said De Bono, "and the students are a great group."

The young actors are learning more than just their lines. "They're working hard and getting involved in many aspects of the theatrical experience," said TAAC executive director Joe Reorda Jr. "It's another upshot of the program. Students are working on scenery and learning how to set and operate the theater's lighting system. This is part of the technical phase of the class. They're learning what it takes to organize a production from the design and technical perspectives as well."

Reorda is responsible for overseeing the scenic elements and realizing the lighting designs along with professional lighting designer Susan Topping of Salida,.

"The students are eager for the stage lights to shine on their work come April, and it's nice to see them working so well together and bonding as a group," Reorda said.

It was De Bono who chose to present "The Crystal Crown" as the showcase piece for the students this spring. He wrote it during his tenure at Trinidad High School, and it premiered in 1995 there.

"It is a musical fable that is akin to the legendary storytelling of Disney's books and animated movies," said De Bono.

More than 1,100 elementary students from area schools will attend performances April 7-9 at Trinidad Junior High School.

"We hope these initial performances for our younger kids will seed the future of this program," said superintendent Mike Tranter. "Curiosity and passion are very contagious qualities when given the right environment to grow and thrive."

Performances are free for students. Kindergarten and first grade students will attend on April 7, second and third graders on April 8, and fourth and fifth graders on April 9. Bussing will be provided.

A public performance will be held at 7 p.m. April 9. That's also free, but donations will be accepted and will go back into the program. The running time is 1 hour and 20 minutes.

"Anyone who supports our youth is welcome to attend," said SCRT executive director Arthur Espinoza. "We plan to deliver a great show to the community. And, the aspiring young actors and technicians are a thrill to see."

For more information, please contact Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre at 719-846-4765.