School briefs: Tartan High wins repeat praise for theater productions

In its recent ratings of spring musical theater productions, Hennepin Theatre Trust judged Tartan High School's presentation of "9 to 5" as outstanding for both its overall production and performance.

The honor comes after the Oakdale school's fall musical, "The Wizard of Oz," also was deemed outstanding in the two categories.

A group of evaluators rated 42 fall productions and 39 spring productions across the state as part of the trust's SpotLight Musical Theatre Program. The initiative is in its 10th year and gives high school students a chance to work with local and national theater professionals.

The musicals are judged without comparing or ranking them against each other — a process that culminates in the staging of a two-night showcase that is being held this year at the State Theatre in Minneapolis on Sunday, June 14, and Monday, June 15.

Three other local schools — East Ridge in Woodbury, North High in North St. Paul and White Bear Lake Area High — also were recognized for presenting outstanding musicals in the fall. East Ridge staged "Into the Woods," North High presented "Grease" and White Bear Lake Area High staged "The Addams Family."

This spring, Hill-Murray School in Maplewood and Park High in Cottage Grove won honorable mentions for their presentations of "High School Musical" and "Cinderella."

A record 77 schools participated in the Hennepin Theatre Trust program this year.

As of last week, tickets still were being sold in several pricing categories.

A limited number of $15 tickets were available for purchase in person at the State Theatre Box Office or online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

"Friends of SpotLight" tickets, which include priority seating and a tax-deductible donation to the SpotLight program, were available for between $25 and $100 online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or by calling 612-455-9536.

A painting created by Woodbury High senior Erin Griffin will be displayed for a year in a U.S. Capitol hallway after taking first place in a congressional art show hosted by Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn.

"Each year I am blown away by the level of talent and artistic ability that Minnesota students have to offer, and this year was no exception," McCollum said in a statement.

Woodbury High junior Sarah Masood captured second place and will have her painting shown in McCollum's office, a South Washington County news release said.

The district said Griffin and Masood created their paintings as part of their studio-arts Advanced Placement portfolios.

Curtis Slater, an associate principal at Wayzata East Middle School, is taking over as principal of Wyoming Elementary in the Forest Lake Area School District.

The school board approved his hiring on June 4.

Slater, who began his career as a dean of students in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, replaces Lynn Bormann, who recently signed on as principal of an elementary school in West Fargo, N.D.