By Lynne Miller
In 21st Century USA, it is unlikely to find a rite of passage into adulthood. Hawaiian boys living in the 1700s plunged from high cliffs into clear water as a passage ritual. Point Loma high school seniors sign up for Larry Zeiger’s English class where they write, direct, sing and dance their way to graduation. At least they did for 33 years, until Zeiger retired.
For 7 nights, right in the middle of studying for finals, the Zeiger seniors performed to sellout crowds. Every parent in the audience watched in amazement as their child dove off the cliff through the Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance portal.
Jocks, poets, artists and nerds write the musical, make the sets, discover hidden talents and rehearse for months. Zeiger’s passion for performing arts and his willingness to work long hours after teaching classes all day brought the magic of theater to Point Loma students, parents and community.
Larry left the cold winters of his childhood in Cleveland Heights, Ohio and attended the University of Miami where he studied Psychology and Cinema Arts. Adventure was brewing with some close friends who were looking for a grad school in a warm climate, and it is our good fortune that they chose to study at San Diego State. Zeiger studied Communication Arts with emphasis on Film and TV Journalism. Larry worked at Muirlands Jr. High School while he was going to State and discovered his love for teaching.
By Lynne Miller
In 21st Century USA, it is unlikely to find a rite of passage into adulthood. Hawaiian boys living in the 1700s plunged from high cliffs into clear water as a passage ritual. Point Loma high school seniors sign up for Larry Zeiger’s English class where they write, direct, sing and dance their way to graduation. At least they did for 33 years, until Zeiger retired.
For 7 nights, right in the middle of studying for finals, the Zeiger seniors performed to sellout crowds. Every parent in the audience watched in amazement as their child dove off the cliff through the Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance portal.
Jocks, poets, artists and nerds write the musical, make the sets, discover hidden talents and rehearse for months. Zeiger’s passion for performing arts and his willingness to work long hours after teaching classes all day brought the magic of theater to Point Loma students, parents and community.
Larry left the cold winters of his childhood in Cleveland Heights, Ohio and attended the University of Miami where he studied Psychology and Cinema Arts. Adventure was brewing with some close friends who were looking for a grad school in a warm climate, and it is our good fortune that they chose to study at San Diego State. Zeiger studied Communication Arts with emphasis on Film and TV Journalism. Larry worked at Muirlands Jr. High School while he was going to State and discovered his love for teaching.