Bright lights, red carpets and adoring fans, these are the dreams of many young actors. Whether it is performing in a school talent show or acting in a major motion picture, the dream is the same, the passion is the same and if a young actor is lucky, they have a teacher like Rome Buttner to help them reach their goal.
In 2007, Rome made the move from Northern Virginia to Holly Springs. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in both English and Theatre Arts from Virginia Tech, he knew he wanted to teach theatre and set out in search of a place that valued the arts and theatre as much as he did…enter Wake County Public Schools, more specifically Holly Springs High School. When the school opened for 9th and 10th graders in 2006, they did not have a theatre teacher on staff. Mr. Buttner was hired as the school’s first theatre teacher in 2007, and thus the Holly Springs High School Theatre Company (HSTC) was born.
Being a new school, Rome had to build the theatre program from the ground up. “I wanted to make this program my own, while providing the Holly Springs community with a fun and rigorous theatre training program,” he said. Using the tools he learned in college, he started from scratch, but wasn’t without help. Most people may not realize that Holly Springs has an extensive fine arts department that includes band, chorus, dance, theatre arts and visual arts. Seeing an opportunity to gather support for his growing program, Rome joined forces and started a joint booster club along with the dance and visual arts programs.
Although the fine arts boosters were established in 2007-8, they dissolved allowing for dance and theatre to operate under their own booster organization. Rome states that “parent volunteers run the Holly Springs Theatre Company Boosters, as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Without the parent volunteers, HSTC couldn’t be the success that it is today.”
It Takes a Village
Things have certainly come a long way in the last eleven years for Rome and the Holly Springs High School Theatre Company. From one play and one musical the first year to anywhere from four to seven productions in one school year is quite a leap! Just to be clear, we aren’t talking about your run of the mill high school plays. Rome said that he doesn’t “believe in high school performances. We strive for collegiate and professional productions.” Some of their productions include Steel Magnolias, Peter Pan, One Flew Over a Cuckoo’s Nest, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Complete Works of William Shakespear {Abridged}, A Christmas Carol, Our Town, and recently Barnum which was a Holly Springs Fine Arts musical, just to name a few.
Since many of the productions incorporate other fine arts groups, students from the band, chorus, dance and visual arts departments have become a vital role in putting on the high caliber shows that Mr. Buttner expects. “The collaboration that all the departments have is special and has such a positive atmosphere,” he said. Coming into a school that was starting from scratch, Rome wasn’t sure what to expect, but he found himself surrounded by “incredible colleagues who are absolute geniuses,” he said.
Although Mr. Buttner is usually the Director for most of the productions, he does have students who assist him, along with help from other faculty members. When asked about his colleagues, he said, “I truly enjoy working with them. When our students see us communicating and working together in a positive way, it shows them how to do the same and how to work together.”
Beyond Acting and Dialogue
Everyone knows that putting on a production takes work and dedication, but it is unlikely that those in the audience know the full extent of that work and dedication. In addition to his role as theatre director, Rome Buttner also spends his days teaching beginning theatre arts, intermediate theatre arts, advanced theatre arts, beginning technical theatre, intermediate technical theatre and leading an independent study for those who want to take their art to the next, professional level. Spending more than 60 hours per week is not unusual for Rome, but when he receives notes from seniors about their time under his tutelage, he said, “It’s these moments when I know a difference has been made.”
One of those seniors is Grant Janik who is part of the 2018 HSHS graduating class. When asked how he feels about the theatre program at Holly Springs High School he said, “It truly is like a family…you can tell that Mr. Buttner genuinely cares so much not only about his students, but about the art form as well.” The theatre program has had quite the impact on Grant, so much so that he is heading to East Carolina in the fall to study Theatre Education. “The theatre has really shaped my time in high school and my life. It has shown me where I want to be,” he said.
The theatre company has truly made a difference in the lives of many of its actors, but it has also shaped those involved in much of the behind the scenes work of any production. Although the actors are the ones in the literal spotlight, behind the scenes are students working to make the production a success. Along with students from departments such as visual arts as well as students involved in graphic design, construction and engineering, all have a hand in the continued success of the program.
“There are so many different aspects that are involved in theatre,” Buttner said. Many people don’t realize that the advances in technology have spilled over to the world of theatre, and according to Rome, “If you are a science kid, you can still find your home in the theatre.” Advanced lighting and sound technology, graphic design, web design, projection and visual effects design have made their way behind the scenes. Thanks to the growing popularity of educational approaches like STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics), students are finding ways to incorporate their love and passion for the arts and their interest and passion for the sciences. In fact, the technology is becoming so advanced that “there is a real need for those with a technology background,” Rome said. The theatre company also partners with the “construction technology program, under the leadership of Holly Springs High School teacher, Mike Collins, to assist with more complex projects. It’s a wonderful cross-curriculum collaboration.”
Although he received technical theatre training in college, Rome said that even he needed a bit of a refresher course on the technical front. “I found that in this job you have to continually learn.” And thanks to the amazing facilities provided by Wake County, he and his students have every opportunity to continue to learn.
In addition to the experience and education students gain as part of the HSTC, the group also operates Troupe 7558 of the International Thespian Society. This honors society recognizes the hard work from each theatre student. “HSTC prides itself for creating young leaders. Through ITS, I have two leadership boards. The ITS Board and the Executech Board. These students work together to elevate and strengthen HSTC each year,” Mr. Buttner explained.
Starting the Conversation
For many, the theatre is just a form of entertainment. For Rome Buttner and his group at Holly Springs High School, it is so much more. “Theatre is about creating a conversation and learning ways to cope with some of life’s challenges,” he said. Theatre can evoke emotions in not just those in the audience, but also in the actors on stage. That is evident in the tears that flow as the curtain falls at the end of every production. Theatre is an avenue for expression, for compassion and for thought. It provides an invaluable outlet for so many that find it hard to express themselves without the help of a character.
In a world where so many young people are struggling to find their place or feel that they don’t have an adult who truly cares, how refreshing it is to know that in our little corner of the world there is a teacher and a group that is just waiting for them with open arms and open hearts.
