GVCS Drama Club Brings Down the House with Descendants

This year’s spring musical, Descendants, was nothing short of spectacular—thanks to the incredible work of our cast, crew, staff, and academic teams. With a cast of 45 student performers and a dedicated crew of 12, the production brought together over 100 students and adults, uniting talent and energy from across the district to make the magic happen.

What made this show even more extraordinary was the deep collaboration across multiple courses and departments, creating real-world learning experiences that linked curriculum to live performance. Students were given opportunities to shine both on stage and behind the scenes, using a wide range of creative and technical skills.

In Theater Production and Exploration, students designed the set and many props using tools and techniques such as scale modeling, 3D printing, laser engraving, large-scale printing, Silhouette machines, and digital design. These students weren’t just preparing for a show—they were building career-ready skills in design and fabrication.

The Building Trades program took those designs and brought them to life, constructing the set from the ground up. Meanwhile, Design for Entertainment students added dramatic flair with large props crafted in the shop, enhancing the overall aesthetic and storytelling of the show.

This production wasn’t just a performance—it was a collaborative, cross-disciplinary effort that provided meaningful, hands-on learning and celebrated the strengths of students across all interests and abilities.

Descendants also received multiple TANYS (Theatre Association of New York State) awards, recognizing excellence across the production:

• Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Performance – to the Descendants Cast and Crew
• Excellence in Direction – Donna Slawson
• Excellence in Vocal Direction – Caleb Durant
• Excellence in Costuming – Mandy Tawil, Payton Werner, and Donna Slawson
• Excellence in Technical Design and Execution – Nathan Slawson, Daphne Gugino, and the Theater Production and Exploration class

These awards reflect the creativity, dedication, and teamwork of everyone involved—from students in the spotlight to those working hard behind the curtain.

Congratulations to the entire GVCS Drama Club and all the educators, volunteers, and families who supported this outstanding production. At Genesee Valley, we’re proud to say—we’re always Better Together.