Msgr. Pace Drama closes out stellar year

By Rene David Basulto - Monsignor Edward Pace HS

MIAMI GARDENS | Msgr. Edward Pace High School’s Academy of Visual & Performing Arts Theatre Program and Drama Club finished out another award-winning year with spring musical productions of "Chicago" at the end of April.

In addition to their regular evening shows, Pace Drama students held special morning performances for over 500 middle school students from Our Lady of the Lakes, St. John the Apostle, St. Bartholomew, St. Patrick, Holy Cross, and St. Mary Cathedral schools.

A record 1,009 people came out to see the public evening performances, including a sold-out crowd of 450 April 22 for the 12 Pace Drama seniors’ final night on stage. During their final curtain call, Cristina Pla-Guzman, lead teacher for the Theatre Program, presented each senior with a rose and highlighted the universities they had been accepted to and the over $100,000 in scholarships they had received.

The seniors responded in kind, reminiscing about their years in the program and even singing a song written about their teacher to the tune of “Without Love” from "Hairspray," their 2015 spring musical.

Even after the final performance, the accolades continued to roll for the Drama program. Pla-Guzman and the International Thespian Honor Society students were honored for their successes by the Town of Miami Lakes at a May 3 council meeting. The meeting was a mini-Pace alumni reunion as Pla-Guzman, a class of 2002 alumna, met with Miami Lakes Council members Manny Cid (class of 2002), Tony Lama (class of 1996), and Nelson Rodriguez (class of 1987).

After winning the 2016 Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award, Pla-Guzman won another national accolade: the 2016 Top-Notch Teacher award at the inaugural Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards ceremony. The award is given out to teachers who help students fulfill their passion and their potential while showcasing a deep love for them and their school.