Thirteen young performers brought music, dancing, and a touch of mystery to the Fallon Theatre Oct. 29-31 as Performing Arts of Churchill County (PACC) presented “The Haunted Schoolhouse,” a youth musical written and directed by Tim Wuth in collaboration with Noreen Swenson.
The lighthearted, spooky story followed a group of students serving after-school detention who discovered a Magic Music Machine in the schoolhouse basement. Each time they found an object and placed it in the machine, music began playing, prompting the students to sing and dance.
While cleaning, the students also discovered memoirs and letters exchanged between two ill-fated lovers dating back to 1957.
The hourlong production featured students in eighth through 10th grades from Churchill County High School, Oasis Academy, Agape Church School, Veritas Preparatory School, Leadership Academy of Nevada, and homeschooling programs.
The cast performed 12 musical numbers, including “Thriller,” “Tarantulas,” and “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear.”
Luke Odle, who played Jack, said he has been performing in musicals and plays since spring 2024. His previous productions include “Schoolhouse Rock,” “Broadway Revue,” and “Maine Street Gang.” Performing is one of his favorite activities.
Caroline Bradford, who played Sage, is a freshman at Churchill County High School. She has participated in eight productions and said she enjoys acting and singing.
PACC regularly coordinates seasonal youth productions featuring students from elementary through high school. The organization thanked Epworth United Methodist Church, Jeff and Jill Christiansen, Fallon Community Theatre Group, and Stuf ‘N’ Such Store for supporting the production.
PACC also administers the Sara Swenson Memorial Performing Arts Scholarship, established in memory of a former Churchill County High School student who participated in choir, the Fallon Dance Team, and school and community musical theater programs.
Swenson died of osteosarcoma in 2011 at age 22. The scholarship honors her love of the performing arts. According to PACC, the organization has awarded $9,500 in scholarships to local high school graduates during its first four years.
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