Esta Kamau, Features/Humans of West Editor
• March 7, 2025
Snapping their fingers underneath the dim stage lights, the Addams family will make their stage debut on March 7 through March 9. “The Addams Family Musical: High School Edition” will tell the story...
From Feb. 23-24, the theater department produced and performed the adapted play, “The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time.” Based on the mystery novel by author Mark Haddon, the play follows...
Samir Shaik, Multimedia Editor-in-Chief
• February 15, 2024
On Monday and Tuesday, surrounded by 22,000 screaming fans packing every available seat at the Enterprise Center, Canadian rapper Drake and American rapper J. Cole took the stage to perform two sold-out...
As the school year begins to wind down, warm temperatures, tanning, swimming and, most importantly, music has been on everyone’s minds. With break starting today, we asked members of the West community...
From a COVID-19 diagnosis to a broken wrist, the weeks before “Pippin” brought confusion, chaos and worry to the show’s cast and crew. So, how did the theater department transform turmoil into triumph?
“Pippin,”...
Ten years ago, Jack Mullen started his journey as an actor. Today, as a freshman, he continues his career as a Muny Teen.
Mullen started performing at the Muny six years ago, where he participated in...
![All eyes on him, senior Jack Mullen raises the sacred chalice of the Addams Family. Mullen’s father was his inspiration for his role as Gomez Addams, who was Wednesday Addam’s father in the show. “The most impactful part of this experience was getting closure, because this was my last show, [and] it was probably my favorite show I've done here. I wanted to do the best I could, and to reflect on my growth and experience in the program. The thing I learned is that not everything is going to be perfect. I went through a lot vocally, and so I had to protect my health, and I overcame it,” Mullen said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DSC4947-1200x798.jpg)
![Freezing in their position, the Addams Family cast hits the “rigor mortis” pose after cast member and senior Jack Mullen, in character as Gomez Addams, calls out the stiff death move. For the past four months, the combined company of cast members, orchestra pit, crew and directors all worked to create the familial chemistry of the show. “I’m excited for [the audience] to see the numbers, the music, the scenes, but I also just love all the technical aspects of it. The whole spectacle, the costumes, makeup and the people that put in the work backstage in order to make the show successful on stage. I’m excited for people to see and appreciate that,” Mullen said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DSC0116-1200x800.jpg)
![Looking out into the audience, senior Jack Mullen solos “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra at the annual winter choir concert on Dec. 10. Mullen volunteered to sing a solo to aid the transition between choir groups on stage. “I chose that song because I really like the crooner genre when it comes to holiday music. [That song] had all the element[s] of Michael bublé, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Also, it's a simple melody, so I did vocal gymnastics when I could and made it my own,” Mullen said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jackedited-1200x800.jpg)
![Junior Jack Mullen (back row, seventh from the left) smiles with American rapper Lil Durk and the Center of Creative Arts children’s choir. Prior to the choir’s performance, Durk introduced himself to the students and thanked them for assisting him. “[He] walked down and shook each of our hands. We got pictures and talked with him. It didn't feel real. He's just a guy, but at the same time, his music is so special to a lot of people. The fact that we got to interact with the body, mind and spirit of the person who's making this art, that's cool. We felt welcomed,” Mullen said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/98D100E0-D4D0-472A-B7A3-E84C26AB21CD-2-1200x900.jpg)
![Fully running through “Pippin” for the first time, sophomore Jack Mullen performs the opening number alongside his castmates to kick off tech week. Having been diagnosed with COVID-19 one week before the show, theater teacher and Director Amie Gossett relied on her students to step up to help the show run smoothly in her absence. “As a whole, this has been a very collaborative experience for all the kids. They’ve learned to take responsibility [while] pushing themselves to keep the show going. [They learned] to believe themselves in stepping outside of their comfort zone and to push for what they want,” Gossett said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0036-900x600.jpg)
