Cypress Lake High School

In a pivotal scene in Cypress Lake High’s production of Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice,” Gabe Cruz and Ella Maas submerge themselves in a black plastic-lined trough of water that represents the Acheron or River of Woe. Then they sprawl, soaking wet, on the stage floor as the story progresses to its conclusion. By the time the play ends, Cruz and Maas are chilled to the bone, proving the adage that artists truly must suffer for their art.

This week, two shows open, nine close, 13 continue their runs and there is one limited engagement at Southwest Florida equity, community and high school theaters.

This week, 3 shows including "Sweeney Todd" open, 7 close and 16 continue their runs and there is one limited engagement at Southwest Florida equity and community theaters.

This past weekend, Cypress Lake High School performed “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.” The electropop opera based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” required a cast of 30, a multi-tiered set, dozens of period costumes that possess a rave, punk flair, and hundreds of lighting cues.

This week, three shows open, eight close, seven continue their runs and there are two limited engagements at Southwest Florida equity and community theaters.

The School District of Lee County has established arts programs in all 15 of its high schools. Cypress Lake, Lehigh Senior and North Fort Myers high schools are arts magnets, which focus on further developing students' talents in specific disciplines. The school district can offer supplemental funding based on program size and need, but most programs fund themselves from ticket sales.

This week, two shows open, six shows close and three shows continue their runs at Southwest Florida equity and community theaters. In addition, Cypress Lake High School presents “Lord of the Flies” in a three-show limited engagement.

Lehigh Senior High School had a huge night on Friday at the High School Musical Theatre Awards. Its spring show, “Hadestown Teen Edition,” was selected by a panel of five judges as this year’s winner in the coveted category of “Overall Production of a Musical.” The awards didn’t stop there.

In schools across Lee County, students are taking a stand against violence and promoting school safety through the Sandy Hook Promise’s Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) clubs. Local students, parents and faculty are joining forces to make their campuses safer.Launched by the Sandy Hook Promise organization in response to the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in 2012, these clubs are a part of a nationwide effort to ensure that school environments are not only physically safe but also emotionally and psychologically supportive.