1st
First, the play is being directed by a father-son duo, William Van Patten, who is serving as music director of the play and his son Chris, a student at the school, who is serving as director.
“I’m doing everything from helping with acting to designing the sets and offering encouragement,” said Chris Van Patten.
William Van Patten is a music instructor at West Canada Valley Central School. They believe this collaboration is the first ever in the Mohawk Valley on a school stage.
Chris Van Patten has been involved with several performances through the years, including 13 musicals, but this is his first opportunity at directing a play and having his finger on the pulse of each of the play’s phases.