Starting tonight, the Queen Creek High School Theater Co. will become the first in Arizona to perform “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”

Last year, the department won a competition for the rights to the play and in addition to being the first in Arizona, it will be one of a few theater companies in the nation to bring this performance of the wizarding world to life.

Additional performances are scheduled for Saturday and Nov. 7-9 at the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, 22149 E. Ocotillo Road. For tickets, visit https://gofan.co/app/school/AZ11995_1.

With the play’s premiere, the theater company students are looking back on the journey it took to get to this point. 

 “It feels like an incredible opportunity and something we’ve worked very hard for,” stated QCHS senior Seth R. in a Queen Creek Unified School District press release.

Rehearsals have pushed students to dig deeper into their complex roles and learn to trust their abilities.

“It’s really cool to be able to put on a play that has been on Broadway, and now we get to do it all in high school,” stated senior Milo B.

Reflecting on the rehearsal process, Milo explained how the play has moved from scenes on paper to staged rehearsals to complete technical aspects.

“It’s just really cool seeing it all come together in the end,” he continued.

QCHS Theater Director Kyle Spitler has been a central part of the production, guiding the  students with constructive direction that has helped them grow as performers and individuals.

“He’s helped me so much in some of the scenes and with acting that I’ve struggled with,” Milo stated.

Abigail B., who has been part of the QCHS theater program for four years, stated that this production feels like a culmination of her high school experience.

“The process has been completely different. Normally our productions are musicals and plays, but this is almost like a movie that we get to change and make our own,” she added. “It's been awesome though, especially for senior year. You're taking in all the rehearsal time with your friends, and it's just — awesome.”

For all three seniors, the QCHS fine arts program has been more than just an extracurricular activity — it has been an anchor and a source of lifelong memories.