To the editor:

As a long-time admirer and follower of the King’s Fork High School theatre program, I was excited to attend this year’s one-act play Saturday.

I began attending shows seven years ago when my child was a student at King’s Fork, and even though I moved out of Suffolk a few years ago, I have made it a habit to attend whenever I can. I was always impressed with the quality of work produced on that stage, both from the students and the director, Mrs. Miguel.

I saw how the program grew and changed, and I was always excited to attend productions, knowing I was in for an excellent evening’s entertainment.

I had heard Mrs. Miguel had moved on to another school, and even though I was disappointed, I was sure that King’s Fork would have found a suitable replacement.

Unfortunately, I was wrong. While the students performed admirably, and I recognized many of them from past productions, I spent the performance wondering what was wrong. The show itself was rather interesting, and I liked the concept behind it, however, it was a sorry step down for the program.

After having a late lunch with my friends who had also seen the show, we realized the problem — it looked as though a child had directed the show. Although I am by no means an expert, I have seen enough productions to know when one is directed badly.

Students had their backs to the audience, props were in their faces, and they spoke so quickly the emotions behind the characters were lost to the wind. The dreadful screen upstage was a distraction, along with the clicking of the backstage lights and the blinding stage light that required sunglasses to see the stage. It looked unprepared and sloppy.

Once again, Suffolk Public Schools has messed up. For years, SPS has driven teachers away, lowered their schools’ standards and made a mockery of education.

One of the few highlights of King’s Fork over the years has been its arts program. It is a shame the powers that be cannot continue to attempt to fix what is not broken.

Although I do not know the reasons Mrs. Miguel left, it saddens me to see what has become of her program in just a few short months. I have heard she is working at another school district, also as a director, and that she is doing for them what she did for King’s Fork.

I wish her luck, and I hope she is not aware of what has happened to her program. I wish the students of King’s Fork theatre program the best of luck. I hope their talent and love for the theatre can survive their lack of leadership.

I personally will never attend another production at King’s Fork.

Mary Smith

Smithfield