Since 2018, Dr. Parker has led the theater program at Huntington Park High School. Over time her program evolved and has now become part of the Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways.
Dr. Parker had stated, “The Mission of the CTE program is to become a community theater program and the CTE component is still part of that, but evolved to prepare students for careers in theater.”
When asking Dr. Parker about the challenges that she had faced with recruitment she had said
“Getting students who are interested in theater and be in intro classes, it’s hard to motivate students and to get the right people in both the introductory and advanced class as well”
Despite this shes committed to ensuring that her students are equipped with the proper knowledge and experience to be successful in her theater program.
She had also mentioned that in recent times an initiative she had started called the “Save My Seats” campaign, which brought awareness to the lack of proper seating and poor conditions in the auditorium. She had said emphasized that in order to have a successful theater program “The auditorium must be up to a standard that matches the expectations I have for my students”
Even after students graduate from HP, their contributions and expertise continue to shape the success of the theater program that they were once a part of. For example “David Molina, a Spartan alumni, has come back to assist with lighting and sound equipment”. Further showing the lasting impact the program has on its students.
Former loving theater students, still passionate about theater, come back to the program that had helped them continue their love for theater. Many are at awe by how far the theater program has come since they were a part of it.
Thanks to the theater program many student have gone on to continue their passion for theater well beyond high school “Tyson who was in the theater program for all fours years of high school is attending a film school and had directed a play, Alex Huerta who was stage producer had put on her resume she was stage manager and got a job and the UCLA hooligan theater, Carlos Pera became an influencer and is attending East Los Angeles Community College”.
The theater program has clearly provided students with valuable skills, real-world experience, and inspiration that translated into tangible opportunities whether in the arts, entertainment, or broader creative fields. This is a strong indication of the program’s success in preparing students for life beyond high school.
As the theater program continues to thrive in their everlasting endeavors, Dr Parker continues to maintain the enthusiasm of her students by offering an overall range in productions, motivational pep talks and above all
“Treating the students with dignity and as students that are learning instead of competing”.
Written By: Casandra Aguilar, Staff Writer