School of Performing Arts Hosts Student Matinees of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical”

The Idaho State University School of Performing Arts recently celebrated a resounding success with its student matinees of "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical," held on April 15 and 16. Nearly 800 eager learners from local schools, including Connor Academy, Grace Lutheran School, the Pocatello Homeschool Co-op, and Bear Lake Middle School, packed the theatre for these two special matinees. 

Bear Lake Middle School teacher Emilee Graham expressed her enthusiasm about the outing, stating, “We were able to bring our whole middle school to this performance, and it was an amazing experience for our students. We read ‘The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)’ in our ELA classes, and we thought it would be a great idea for the students to see it adapted as a musical.”

The production showcased immense talent, with performers enthusiastically embodying their roles. Ms. Graham noted, “The performers were obviously passionate about their roles, no matter what their parts were. Even the background actors were very dedicated, which made every part of the performance work so well together.” 

The live music that accompanied the actors on stage was a highlight for many students. Ms. Graham shared, “The students have never seen a live performance with live music. I know it inspired many students to want to do something like that when they get to college.” 

With its vibrant blend of humor and spectacular singing, the performance left a lasting impression on the young audiences. “We loved all of the humor added to the performance, and the students were impressed by the singing abilities of the performers,” remarked Graham. 

The ISU School of Performing Arts is grateful for the opportunity to engage with local and regional schools and inspire the next generation of theatre enthusiasts. “Once again, this was such a great experience for our middle school students. We are so thankful we were able to have this experience and fully plan to attend more performances in the future,” added Ms. Graham. 

The ISU School of Performing Arts looks forward to welcoming more students to their performances in the future, providing enriching experiences that foster a love for the arts.