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East County News Service
May 15, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- London West End musical theatre star Dean Chisnall, returned to Steele Canyon Charter High School May 17 through May 20 to instruct and inspire the SC Players and musicians. He shared his professional practices, experiences and wisdom through workshops, seminars, and discussions. The visit culminates with a live performance by Mr. Chisnall on Saturday, May 20 at 2 p.m.in the Steele Canyon HS Theatre.
Open to the general public, reserved tickets are $12 online at www.showtix4u.com or $15 at the door. Proceeds benefit the theatre and music departments at Steele Canyon High School.
Dean Chisnall recently concluded his run as Jean Valjean in the London West End production of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theater and performed the lead role in two separate United Kingdom and Ireland tours. For five years, the actor portrayed Shrek on the West End stage and the UK Ireland tour.
Other West End and international theater credits include The Woman In White, Never Forget, Blood Brothers, Mama Mia!, Evita, Cinderella, and La Cage aux Folles. He has a variety of television, recording and concert credits to his name. He serves as Actor-in-Residence at the Charter House School, Godalming, England.
This is Chisnall’s third visit to Steele Canyon High School. His first visit in 2019 was
the acceptance of an invitation from SCHS Music Director, Heather Luck, after she saw his live performance as Jean Valjean in London and asked him to collaborate on the school’s production of Les Misérables. In 2020, he came back to help the students with their production of “Shrek.”
These are mutually beneficial experiences for Chisnall as he stated, “The students of Steele Canyon High have had a lasting impression on my life, and I feel so incredibly fortunate to have visited. I thank all involved for giving me the greatest gift and allowing me to share some time with so many inspirational people who are the future of the industry that I very fortunately find myself in.”
Under Theatre Director, Nicole La Bella and Musical Director, Heather Luck, students in the Steele Canyon High School Theatre and Music departments annually produce a Fall play and a Spring Musical. Their production of The Sound of Music was named the Best High School Musical at the 2018 Broadway San Diego Awards. Their production of Les Misérables under the added tutelage of Chisnall, received the 2019 “Outstanding Ensemble” National Youth Arts Award San Diego/La Mesa. They received Best Ensemble Performance, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Musical Direction & Orchestral Performance from the 2022 BroadwayWorld San Diego Awards for The Addams Family.
Steele Canyon Charter High School is a California charter high school located near the eastern San Diego County communities of Jamul, Rancho San Diego, and Spring Valley. Opened in 2000 and chartered in July 2007, the school serves students in grades 9 through 12.
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