The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Enthralls Huntington Students

Over the past few weeks, Huntington High School freshman English classes under the guidance of teachers Dianna Cazzalino, Gina Colica, Michael Schwendemann, Jean Czerniawski and Teresa Connolly have been exploring a seminal work of American literature: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving.

“To bring the text to life, we welcomed Stages on the Sound, a professional non-profit educational theater company, for a special live performance,” said Dr. Gretchen Rodney, district director of English language arts and reading. “Under the direction of artistic director Scott Barrow, the production highlighted the story’s blend of superstition and humor, delighting the audience as both cast and crowd ‘lost their heads.’”

Stages on the Sound is a New York City-based ensemble of innovative professional theater artists who are also exceptional and inspiring teachers. The performing artists believe that when audiences participate meaningfully in the performing arts they become better humans. Every Stages engagement, whether experienced live or brought to life through digital media, is intentional, interactive and immersive.

“‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ by Washington Irving is a classic short story from the early 19th century, specifically during the Romantic era,” states an overview found on the Project Guttenberg website. “This tale is a blend of folklore and ghost story that takes place in the mythical village of Sleepy Hollow, where supernatural occurrences and local legends intertwine within a vividly described rural setting. The narrative centers on themes of love, rivalry and the collision of rational thought with superstition.

Held on the stage in the School Heritage Museum, the performance featured talented actors, dynamic staging, and a captivating interpretation of the classic tale. On the second day of the program, students participated in an interactive workshop designed to deepen their understanding of the story’s themes and characters.

“The experience not only enriched their literary study but also aligned with ELA standards, making literature engaging, relevant, and unforgettable,” Dr. Rodney said.