Belen, VHS students attend performance of “Clue” in Popejoy’s Broadway for Teens program

It might be Miss Scarlett in the conservatory with the wrench or Mr. Green in the library with the lead pipe.

However the murder mystery drama plays out, students from two local high schools can say they were there when the case was solved, thanks to Popejoy’s Broadway for Teens program.

Students from Belen and Valencia high schools attended the opening night of “Clue” on Wednesday at Popejoy Hall at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

The initiative, which provides free tickets to top-tier Broadway shows at the performing arts center, is in its third year.

Before the curtain went up, students enjoyed dinner at La Posada Dining Hall on the UNM campus and attended a presentation about UNM’s performing arts and theater degree programs.

Following the show, students took part in a special “talk-back” session with the actors, who returned to the stage to take questions and talk about how they pursued their own pathways in the performing arts.

This year, both schools received tickets for 40 students to attend the performance.

During the announcement at BHS, Popejoy board member and long-time Belen businesswoman Nicki Panagopoulos told the students that as a child of Greek immigrants and a first-generation American, she was able to experience the theater for the first time through a program much like Broadway for Teens.

“This is an experience that will open your mind,” Panagopoulos said. “I encourage you to go and experience it fully. Take lots of pictures, enjoy your time with your friends. This is a great program.”

The announcement of the tickets was greeted by gasps of joy and applause from the students, including three who are part of the BHS theater program — Emiley Allard, Aspen Shiosee and Adam Baca.

While Allard and Shiosee spend most of their time behind the scenes, working as stage hands, building sets and creating the all important backdrop for performances, Baca is comfortable in the spotlight on stage.

The three said they were excited about the experience, with the performance being Baca’s first visit to Popejoy Hall.

Valencia High School is also among this year’s Broadway for Teens recipients for a second year in a row to the drama department’s delight.

VHS senior Angela Johnson, who co-wrote the winning letter last year, also co-wrote it this year with Sofia Corona. The duo was thrilled that VHS could again experience the magic of theater at Popejoy Hall, especially because they got to meet with some of the cast and crew of the Broadway production.

“‘Clue’ is one of the ones I haven’t seen and I’m so excited,” said Johnson. “I didn’t think we were going to get it, but I’m so glad we did.”

Johnson said they wrote in the letter that being able to see the “Lion King” through the program last year was impactful and inspired the drama students to revamp the theater program, so they hope they could be selected again to take the kids who didn’t get to go last time.

“Before ‘Lion King,’ we didn’t have any productions, but after we saw “Lion King” we got really excited to put on our first production and that one did really good,” said Johnson. “We also started our first-ever choir program and a bunch of other students have gotten involved because of it. Students who were a little interested but not fully are now fully involved.”

Johnson said Broadway for Teens is an important program because it inspires students to dream big.

“Being able to do this was important for us,” she said. “Programs like this are able to inspire students that they themselves, no matter their age, are able to go do big things and win big prizes and do the impossible.”

VHS senior Eddie Baros, who was among the students to attend the show, is grateful for the opportunity.

“I know it’s hard to get these sort of opportunities because there is a lot of competition, and to be able to get that opportunity not once, but twice is amazing,” Baros said.

Baros said the value of Broadway for Teens is the exposure it brings to theater and how there is something for everyone to take part in.

“I think it can open a lot of pathways and a lot of doors for young individuals who might not know there are so many opportunities in drama,” said Baros. “There’s the ability to do work on stage, backstage, creating props, creating outfits, doing the lighting ... there’s so many things that go into drama as a whole and I think everyone can be included in it, but not everyone knows about it.”

Launched in 2023, the education and outreach program has welcomed more than 350 high school students from across New Mexico’s urban, rural and tribal communities to experience shows.

Last year, more than 40 students from VHS took in a performance of Disney’s “The Lion King.”

In addition to BHS and VHS, students from Socorro, Grants, Magdalena and Rio Grande high schools received tickets to the show.

Broadway for Teens helps New Mexico high school students experience top-tier Broadway performances. Funding for the tickets is made possible by Popejoy’s Excellence Endowment, which supports future programming, operations and education. Popejoy Hall provided 270 tickets for students and faculty members from the six schools to attend “Clue.”