When Bend Senior High School’s auditorium was demolished last August, the losses were immeasurable. Decades of accumulated costumes, props and musical instruments were destroyed, with only the music department’s grand piano emerging unscathed. Without so much as a stage on which to perform, the Bend High Theatre could have given up—if they were a lesser group of people, they certainly would have. But for this group of dedicated teens and their director, surrender was never an option.
On Jan. 17 and 18, Bend High Theatre presented a series of 10 minute plays, performed in Summit High School’s black box theatre. Ranging from a comedic and inspiring story about a group of superheroes with untraditional “powers” to a profound commentary on life and death, the short scenes bridged a variety of topics and themes. The seven cast members delivered a high quality show, particularly impressive in light of the extenuating circumstances.
For Bend High’s performing arts programs, this year has been unusual to say the least. Following the destruction of the auditorium and theatre classroom, theatre classes, auditions and rehearsals were held in the choir room, a much smaller space than the students and cast members were accustomed to.
The 2024–25 school year represented a period of change for Bend High Theatre in yet another crucial way: This fall marked the beginning of theatre teacher and director Madeline Williams’s time not only at Bend High, but in the profession. Starting out as an educator and taking over a theatre program would be difficult no matter what, but the lack of performance space presented an unanticipated challenge.
“It’s been really, really weird,” said Maddie Taylor, a junior who played Carol in the production. “We use the auditorium every single day. For class, we would go in there, and obviously for productions and rehearsal.”
However, Taylor and her fellow cast members recognize Williams as a guiding light in these dark times, fostering positivity and making the process as smooth as possible. The students involved in the production came armed with passion and determination, and Williams’s leadership helped them turn this into something extraordinary, regardless of the challenges faced along the way.
“I think it just really shows what we can do and how we can adapt,” said Bend High freshman Avery Brown, who played Wabbit Woman, Jessica and Teddy.
But for the program to grow and improve, continuing without designated performance space is not a viable option. Their latest production was impressive, but much smaller-scale than the plays they could put on prior to the loss of their auditorium.
Although members of the theatre department hope that a new auditorium will be built quickly, they recognize that this day will likely not come before they depart Bend High. As it stands now, the reconstruction of the auditorium is slated to occur between June 2026 and August 2028, long after Taylor’s graduation this year and potentially after Brown graduates in 2028.
“If [the Bend High Theatre] were to do something well-known, like a musical or a more well-known play, then I would really hope that they would have a proper auditorium for that,” said Brown.
However, as uncertain as Bend High Theatre’s future remains, they are here to stay. Having successfully executed the series of 10 minute plays, Williams hopes to direct another production this spring. Although plans are not yet set in stone, Williams and her students have made it clear that they will continue to make their mark on the local performing arts community, with or without an auditorium.
As Williams put it, “When the time comes that we do have [an auditorium], it’ll be a great celebration of what we’ve accomplished without one.” An auditorium is important of course, but Williams and her cast of actors have proved that it is not what makes or breaks a theatre group. Passion is the heartbeat of the arts, and as long as dedication flows through their veins, Bend High Theatre will remain, stronger than ever.
