The Arlington High School theatre department is hard at work preparing for this year’s spring production, SpongeBob: The Musical.

“I did a lot of listening to SpongeBob’s voice — a lot of listening to Ethan Slater, who plays SpongeBob on Broadway,” Stephenson said.

While the theatre department is no stranger to challenges, nothing quite prepared the cast and crew for the disruption caused by the snowstorm of 2026. Arlington High was forced to close for two weeks during a critical stretch of rehearsals, putting the production behind schedule.

“We missed about 30 hours of rehearsal time, so when we got back, we had to push everything to full speed,” Ware said.

Despite the setback, the cast and crew showed resilience and determination. Students quickly adapted to the accelerated rehearsal schedule, working together to keep the production on track.

“Our cast is so awesome. It means a lot to me to be part of something special like this,” Stephenson said. “I’ve had a really fun time with everyone involved in the production.”

The experience has strengthened bonds within the theatre program, highlighting how participation in the arts can build community and teamwork beyond the classroom.

Tickets for SpongeBob: The Musical go on sale March 23. Performances will take place March 26–28 at 7 p.m., with a matinee showing March 29 at 2 p.m.