The grant has long supported our middle school’s Spring Musical, and this year BCE donors are also making the fall play, Treasure Island, a reality!
BIS Performing Arts is excited to present their fall production of Treasure Island, by Joseph George Caruso and based on the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Students are bringing the search for pirate's gold to life, as mutiny and treachery await, in one of the most durable adventure stories of all time.
Directed by Jennifer Ibos, with Assistant Direction by Ginelle Ibos, the all-student cast and crew will offer three showings of the performance, including one matinee:
Thursday, October 24 at 7:00pm
Friday, October 25 at 7:00pm
Saturday, October 26 at 2:00pm
Ms. Ibos said that choosing Treasure Island for this fall’s production was a no brainer. “We had these amazing set pieces of a ship and boat from last year's musical and I immediately thought, what show could we reuse these for that students would be very interested in? Treasure Island was an obvious choice!” Treasure Island is a classic tale, following the story of Young Jim Hawkins, who lives an ordinary life, helping his Auntie Nan run an inn. Then one day, an old seafarer shows Jim a mysterious map that leads to treasure hidden by the notorious Captain Flint. Jim and his Auntie Nan decide to outfit a ship with Captain Smollet and their good friends, Dr. Livesey and Laurie. But when Long John Silver and other crew join the ship, Jim soon discovers the new crew are in fact pirates in search of the map he possesses! Can Jim save the ship and secure the treasure?
Student Publicist and seventh grader Noelle Tan urges everyone to get tickets while they're still available. “This production is a thrilling, exciting and student-led showcase that will bring you to Treasure Island in a heartbeat. The cast and crew will be waiting for you!” she said. This is the second BIS production that Noelle has worked on.
Tickets range from $5 to $15 and are available online. They are selling out quickly, so be sure to get yours now!
The long-standing performing arts program at BIS is a vibrant part of the middle school experience, and draws students with a variety of backgrounds and interests. Each production offers opportunities to audition and act, but students are also encouraged to try out for a position in the crew of each show. The crew includes costumers, curtain riggers, lighting technicians, microphone technicians, prop masters, sound technicians, stage hands, and even publicists, giving students a variety of chances to learn new skills and build experience for theater productions in high school and beyond.
Hudson Statlander, an eighth grader actor in the play, told us, “I’m seriously thinking about continuing in performing arts after BIS, because BIS taught me that being in plays and musicals makes me really happy. I feel that after BIS, I will always enjoy being a part of theater.” Treasure Island is Hudson’s second BIS production. Ms. Ibos reflected on the value of the performances in middle school, sharing that, “Theater productions at BIS are meaningful to students because they feel part of a ‘family’ and get to achieve an entirely student-run production together once the house lights go out.”
“The BCE annual grant allows BIS Performing Arts to continue presenting amazing shows like this one. We are also deeply grateful to the parents, families, and local businesses of the amazing Burlingame community, whose support helps us nurture creativity and bring theater to life on this stage.” - Jennifer Ibos, BIS School Counselor and Director of Treasure Island
This fall, the Thursday and Friday evening performances are proudly sponsored by Caccia Home Services. Caccia Home Services is a family-owned plumbing and electrical services company that has been dedicated to our local community since 1979. We are lucky to have the Caccia family in our BIS and larger BSD community and are so grateful for their continued support of BCE.
How You Can Help the BIS Performing Arts Program
Funding the BIS fall play and spring musical are one of many ways that donations to BCE help make our schools dynamic communities that engage students beyond the basic curriculum. BCE relies on generous support from parents, businesses and community members to meet its grant goals. Donations to BCE provide our schools with funding for enhancing the educational experience for every child in Burlingame. If you haven’t given yet this year, our suggested donation amount is $2,000 per student, but every dollar makes a difference. Consider joining our Scholars Circle by making a donation of $4,000 or more.