The Frontier High School Drama Club students recently stepped into the spotlight alongside a seasoned theater professional, welcoming Ricky Needham, the resident teaching artist at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, for a student-focused acting masterclass.

The special visit was made possible by the Frontier Central Teachers Association, which purchased a group block of tickets to Shea’s production of "The Great Gatsby." Through Shea’s group sales outreach program, organizations that purchase ticket blocks are offered an additional educational experience, and the union chose to dedicate that opportunity directly to Frontier students.   

Held in the high school auditorium, the interactive workshop gave student performers hands-on guidance in acting techniques, improvisation and stage presence. Needham, who regularly leads pre- and post-show educational workshops tied to Shea’s Broadway season, tailored the session to support Frontier’s upcoming theatrical productions, including the school's staging of "Romeo and Juliet".

While Needham visits numerous schools across the region, he said the dedication, foundational knowledge and enthusiasm of the Frontier students immediately stood out.

"When you step foot into a school, you never quite know what the energy will be," Needham said. "Getting to work with the students who are involved in the productions here was, in the short time that I had with them, so enjoyable because everybody was just there to have fun. Everyone seemed to understand the basics of theater, and I didn't have to really spend much time going over any of that. We could kind of just get right into the work."

Beyond offering a behind-the-scenes look at professional acting and theatrical design for students considering careers in the arts, the session allowed Needham to observe the Drama Club's chemistry firsthand. He noted that the cast's genuine passion for storytelling bodes well for audiences planning to attend the school’s upcoming production.

"If the students in this room were any indication of the quality of show that you're going to get with 'Romeo and Juliet,' I think people would really regret missing this one," Needham said. "The students seem to be really excited, and they genuinely enjoy performing and uncovering stories and figuring out stuff on stage with each other."

Needham also praised the welcoming atmosphere fostered by Frontier’s faculty and staff, noting how smoothly the group jumped into the collaborative exercises.

For students involved in the Drama Club, the masterclass offered both practical tools for the stage and professional validation as they prepare to bring Shakespeare’s classic tragedy to the Frontier High School stage.

Watch an interview with Ricky Needham here: 🎥  Sheas Workshop at Frontier High School