Monterey High School Theater to be named after after long-time drama teacher

NEWS ADVISORY

November 10, 2022

 

Monterey High School Theater to be named after after long-time drama teacher

 

Monterey, CA - Monterey High School will host a dedication ceremony on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at Monterey High School located at 101 Herrmann Drive to name the Monterey High Theater in honor of long-time drama teacher Larry Welch.

 

The community and media are invited to attend.

 

3:45 p.m.

- Community Gathering (Refreshments will be served)

4:00 p.m.

- Monterey High Theater dedication honoring Larry Welch

- Welcome | Principal Thomas Newton

- Choir Performance | Monterey High School Choir

- Remarks | Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh and Community Leader Larry Welch

- Unveiling of the Monterey High School Theater plaque honoring Larry Welch

 

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About Larry Welch:

Larry Welch dedicated more than 50 years as a teacher in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. He committed 31 of those years serving students at Monterey High School before retiring in 2009. Post retirement, he gave 11 years to the school community on a part-time basis. 

 

Under Larry’s leadership, Monterey High produced more than 150 plays, and during some years produced more than 10 productions a year. He engaged parents to support the theater program and eventually created The Friends of Monterey High Drama to oversee concessions during evening productions and supervise the scholarship program for senior drama students. Larry took students on field trips to New York and London to experience productions on Broadway and in the West End.   

 

Larry prioritized the “complete process” and students learned everything from building sets and setting lights to acting parts and, often, directing plays for each production. They also helped make costumes. His open door policy encouraged students regardless of their backgrounds to give drama a try.

 

Prior to serving at Monterey High School, Larry also taught creative writing, Shakespeare,  stage production for high school through Monterey Peninsula College, drama 1, drama 2, and advanced drama at Seaside High for 21 years. He also served as an advisor for Seaside High’s yearbook and student newspaper and pioneered classes in film production and advanced film production. With the help of his students, Lawrence made two 30-minute videos about broadcast and forest management career opportunities for high school students. Lastly, he created the The Glorious Annual Film Festival.