‘A Christmas Story’ in March

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Photos courtesy of Upper Rio Grande School District The Upper Rio Grande School District Theatre class is bringing Christmas to March. On March 16, the class will be producing ‘A Christmas Story.’ The play will be held at the Upper Rio Grande School in Del Norte at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.

DEL NORTE — After months of preparation and a few setbacks due to COVID quarantine policies, the Upper Rio Grande School District (URGSD) Theatre Class is ready to hit the stage running and will be putting on a better-late-than-never production of "A Christmas Story."

“The students have worked so hard and are very excited to put the program on for the community, so I hope everyone comes out to watch it,” said URGSD Trades and Theatre Instructor Bill Sauvigne.

Students initially began producing "Frankenstein" in the fall last year, but again because of complications with COVID, the class had to switch gears.

“We knew we weren’t going to be able to get the production of 'Frankenstein' finished in time, so we started looking at a Christmas production. When I found the script for 'A Christmas Story,' the class was very excited to get a chance to make a production of the popular movie. As time went on, it was obvious that we were not going to hit the Christmas deadline, but these students pushed forward and here we are.”

Sauvigne is proud of his class and is excited to share their talents. He is also hoping, now that COVID seems to be lessening throughout the San Luis Valley region, that more students can join the theatrical program and they can plan on more productions in the future.

“At one time, we had students from Monte Vista and this year we are looking to get students from the Sargent School District so hopefully as things calm down, we can get more interest in the theatre program here at the Upper Rio Grande School District,” he said.

In addition to helping the program grow, Sauvigne is working to open a line of communication with theatrical organizations throughout the San Luis Valley so that they can support each other.

“It would be really nice to reconnect with all of the Valley’s theatrical programs and organizations so we can all go and support one another," Sauvigne said. "I hope we can revitalize the theatre here in the Valley and help it grow.”

So now, without further ado, the details of "A Christmas Story," a production by the Upper Rio Grande School District’s Theatre Class. Come one, come all to enjoy a top-notch production of a Christmas classic in the comforts of a new theatre at the URGSD in Del Norte on Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 and available at the door. All proceeds go to the theatre program.

The class will be working on their annual musical next and have chosen "Mamma Mia!"