Senior Ren Becerra (center) smiles at theatre director Alex Burkart as Burkart delivers his remarks on the senior thespian. Becerra is signing at the University of Arizona to pursue a BFA in Acting. “I’m most excited for the opportunities presented and the people,” they said. “When I visited campus, the current freshman class welcomed me as one of their own, and I was so excited to be around such warm and passionate artists.”

Senior Ren Becerra (left) laughs after signing their letter of commitment to the University of Arizona. “Ren Becerra will go down as one of the most influential and capable artists I have encountered in my career,” theatre director Alex Burkart said. “Their ability to handle choreography and staging is well beyond what I would consider typical for any high school student, and they were instrumental in the successful process of our school musical ‘Mamma Mia!.’”

Senior Lexi Casey reminisces about her favorite memories of Creek theatre. Casey will be attending Point Park University for a BFA in Musical Theatre. “Lexi works with the muscle power of an Olympic athlete; and her razor focus and dedication shows over and over again in her talent and performance,” theatre director Alex Burkart said. “Lexi most recently played Rosie in our production of ‘Mamma Mia!.’ Her ability to make creative and hysterical character choices completely in-the-moment will surely send her down a path to success and I look forward to watching her career unfold.”

Senior Lizzie Esses looks on as theatre director Alex Burkart commends her for her time in Creek theatre. “Throughout her tenure here at CCHS, [Esses] has been one of the most profound forces within our troupe, eventually rising to madame president of Thespian Troupe 1730,” theatre director Alex Burkart said. “The conversations that I have been able to have with Lizzie regarding theatrical creation, representation, and social equity have been incredibly deep, and I frequently found myself admiring her on her ability to empathize and connect with almost anyone.”

Senior Alex Mitchell discusses his appreciation for the theatre program on Fine Arts Signing Day. “Signing Day recognizes the hard work that goes into auditioning and interviewing for these programs,” Mitchell said later on in an interview. “I auditioned for 25 programs and wrote over 50 essays. It was a lot of work and I’m really excited for my friends and family to celebrate my final decision with me.”

Graduating theatre students laugh as senior Alex Mitchell signs his commitment to the University of Minnesota Guthrie program. “Over my time here, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Alex on numerous productions, and I have so much enjoyed him breathing life into every single character, and treating each, no matter the size, with utmost professionalism and empathy,” theatre director Alex Burkart said.

Senior Bella Mitchell, who is going to New York University to pursue a BFA in Acting, talks about some of her favorite memories of Creek theatre. Mitchell, who has been a part of Creek theatre since her freshman year, first auditioned in front of theatre director Alex Burkart for the play “Anatomy of Gray.” “I was instantly impressed with her natural technique, emotional connection to character, and ability to take in whatever was happening in the moment. It was not a freshman performance in the slightest,” theatre director Alex Burkart said. “From that moment on, I loved watching [Mitchell] evolve as a performer, embodying an impressive array of characters from nurse, to possessed ballerina, to scientist, to gothic Hermione, and finally her free-spirited and lovable portrayal of Sophie Sheridan in ‘Mamma Mia!.’”

Senior Addison Niehoff grows emotional as they respond to theatre director Alex Burkart’s remarks. “Alex has been an incredibly important figure in my life since freshman year. He’s really the only teacher that I’ve always felt 100% comfortable talking about literally anything with,” Niehoff said later on in an interview. “Hearing him say all of that made leaving him and the theatre actually seem real. Alex is always incredibly kind to his students, but it was super cool to hear his thoughts on my character, not just my art. He is truly a teacher that I love and hearing all of that just made me appreciate him so much more.”

Senior Sara Manos talks about how emotionally fulfilling it was to see her work on “Mamma Mia!” costumes come to fruition. Manos is going to New York University to pursue a BFA in Drama Production & Design. “NYU allows you to have rigorous training both artistically and academically, which is very important to me,” Manos said. “I also am excited for the connections that I will be able to make with the professional theatre world by studying in one of the biggest theatre cities in the world and with professors who are actively working in their fields.”

Choir director Sarah Harrison talks about senior Caleb Meyerhoff, who she called a “once in a lifetime” student.

Senior Caleb Meyerhoff describes the emotion of seeing jazz students perform his music live. Meyerhoff is going to Eastman University.

Band director Tim Libby (left) talks about senior Riccardo D’Urso (right), a guitarist in the school’s jazz band. “[D’Urso] is a tremendous musician, and an incredible person,” Libby said. “It’s been a pleasure watching him hone his craft and develop his skills as a guitarist and as an improviser.”

Senior Riccardo D’Urso reminisces about his time in Creek band. D’Urso is going to the University Northern Colorado for a bachelor’s degree in guitar performance.“[D’Urso’s] positive attitude and love of music was an inspiration and made every rehearsal an enjoyable experience,” band director Tim Libby said.

Senior Paul Marshall, a bassist in Creek orchestra, talks about a music theory class he took during COVID, which he called one of his favorite classes he took at the school. Marshall is going to the University of Colorado, Boulder, for music education, with a full-ride scholarship. “What makes Marshall stand out is his role as stage manager for the orchestra program the past 4 years,” orchestra director Jennifer Poole said. “His dedication, commitment, and willingness to help with everything and anything related to concert set-up and tear-down logistics has been invaluable. Paul is always the last one to leave after concerts, making sure everything is put away.”

Senior Erika Liu speaks about her time in Creek orchestra. Liu is going to the University of Miami for violin performance and pre-med with a full ride scholarship. “Her musical accomplishments are impressive both at Creek & in the community,” orchestra director Jennifer Poole said. “Some of these include successfully auditioning into top ensemble for All-State Orchestra, Western States Honors Orchestra, Denver Young Artists Youth Orchestra, placing runner-up in local concerto competition and most recently 1 of the soloists at our final orchestra concert.”

College gear and flowers rest on New York University commit Bella Mitchell’s spot at the Fine Arts Signing Day table. Signers decorate the tables with memorabilia from the school’s they’re planning to attend. Fine Arts Signing Day was created in 2021 to give seniors in the arts programs similar recognition as senior athletes, who get to participate in Sports Signing Day earlier in the school year. “Fine Arts signing day is so special because not often do you get to see the Fine Arts students get recognized in this way,” senior Ren Becerra said. “Mainly athletes and academics get this kind of recognition, so it’s very special that artists are finally getting the recognition we deserve.”

Banners, pennants, and a tote bag from the University of Arizona, Point Park University, Concordia University, and the University of Minnesota hang from the Fine Arts Signing Day Table. All seniors signing are headed to programs in the performing arts. “The signing day is special because the college process is super tough, and getting to celebrate our successes from the other side feels very full circle,” senior Lizzie Esses, who is going to Concordia University, said.