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SOLON, Ohio – The Wizarding World is coming to Solon High School this month as the school’s drama department presents Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – High School Edition, a spellbinding production that combines creativity, teamwork and imagination. The fall play runs November 20–22 at 7 p.m. and November 23 at 2 p.m. at Solon High School, 33600 Inwood Drive. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Solon and Glenwillow senior citizens can attend for free with proof of residency by emailing solonboxofficetix@gmail.com for a coupon code. Tickets are available online. Set 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – High School Edition" follows Harry’s son, Albus, as he begins his own journey at Hogwarts. When Albus befriends the son of Harry’s longtime rival, Draco Malfoy, the unlikely pair set off on a magical adventure that could alter both the past and the future. Drama Director Kris Ferencie said the department selected the play because it challenges students both artistically and technically while allowing them to reimagine a beloved story. “We are always looking for shows to challenge our students, and this show is certainly a challenge,” the drama director said. “The Wizarding World is so well-known through J.K. Rowling’s books and the subsequent movies—our job is to create our own version of that world that stays true to Rowling’s original vision but also allows for our students’ interpretation to shine through. Audiences can expect to see a show that is firmly rooted in Harry’s world, but is definitely the next chapter of his story.” From flying spells to magical transformations, the production requires complex design and stage effects. Technical Director Joe Ferencie said the team began by identifying the key effects needed to bring the story to life, then collaborated to design practical, believable solutions that fit the school’s stage and budget. “There are several aspects of this show that present a challenge from a design, effects and production point of view,” he said. “We started by outlining the special effects that we would need to create and that are believable on our stage. We collaborate to incorporate our ideas for effects, designs and set pieces into one coherent package that our students can build, manage and use onstage.” Beyond the magic, both directors emphasized the educational value of the production. “We strive to set the bar high for our students, and this show definitely does that,” Kris Ferencie said. “Producing a show full of so many iconic characters and images pushes us to think outside the box. Copyright law prohibits us from copying the sets and designs of the movies, so we have worked hard to create our own version of the locations and people described in the script. We also hope that producing a show like this will encourage students to get involved in the performing arts, whether on stage, backstage, or in the audience.” Joe Ferencie said the project has also become a hands-on learning experience for students in his Production Technology class. “For the past several years, the students in my Production Technology class have assisted with creating the overall set designs for our fall shows,” he said. “As part of our curriculum, we discuss the show in general, the locations or set devices that will be needed and the parameters of what set pieces will be required. The students then research what those set pieces could look like and we collaborate as a class to refine and expand the ideas that the students have.” The level of student participation this year has been remarkable, with nearly 50 students working onstage and behind the scenes. “Student involvement and support have been enthusiastic and unwavering,” Kris Ferencie said. “We have a cast of 29 and a crew of 20, which is huge for a fall play. On Saturday mornings, we have an average of 30 students and five to 10 adults building and painting sets, creating props and pulling together costumes.” Adding to the fun, the cast and crew have embraced a Hogwarts-inspired House Point competition during rehearsals, awarding points for learning lines, arriving on time and participating in themed dress-up nights like “bring your Patronus” and “Polyjuice twin night.” The team with the most points on closing night will take home the coveted House Cup. Meanwhile, students have led much of the technical work, from construction to costume design. “Students are the main force behind building our set and scenic items,” Joe Ferencie said. “Set construction is every Saturday morning, and students arrive at 9 a.m. to start building. We have many parents who help as well, but the majority of the man-hours are logged by students.” Kris Ferencie said community support plays a vital role in the program’s success. “We hope the community supports us by coming to see the show,” she said. “Drama Club is self-supporting, so our ticket sales are the lion’s share of our revenues. But more importantly, our students work tremendously hard to produce our shows, and their work deserves to be seen.” In addition to the fall play, Solon High School’s Drama Club will present four student-directed one-act plays February 12–13, 2026, and the spring musical Disney’s The Little Mermaid April 16–19, 2026.
