I know I speak for all of Bethune Elementary's performing arts faculty when I say we are extremely proud of this production. The quality of the cast, orchestra, stage crew, and school support was outstanding. A truly successful production involves much more than what you see on stage. For the students, it's not only about learning theatrical skills, but learning their own strength and dedication. Our students put their egos aside, and whether they had one line or fifty, if they were on stage or off stage, they helped each other to be successful on stage.
I'm especially proud of the cooperation, mutual respect, the level of commitment and the teamwork demonstrated by everyone in this production. Our musical director, Don Hicks, always finds the chords and tremellos for every Strings student; our assistant music director, Mashell Leroy, hit the ground running his first year as a teacher; and our art teacher, Peter Helm, whose heart was always in the right place.
We are grateful to Anita Macbeth, our Magnet coordinator, dance choreographer and mother hen, who always goes to bat for our program to ensure a high quality of instruction and performance.
Thanks to our new principal, Michelle Alvarez, who has supported the Performing and Visual Arts program from the day she walked in. Special thanks to our assistant principal, Tranya Curry, who went the extra mile for the details.
We are grateful to BESTA's PTO, especially Stacey Christianson, for their support, and the entire BESTA support staff, Diana Annis, Paula Gallo, Claudia Mitzner-Lee, Amarilys Stankus, Janice Caffrey and Amy Rubin. Ivan Collins, thanks for the fishing pole!
We couldn't have done this show at all without the teamwork of our homeroom teachers: Jennifer Alexander, Mary Brown, Dr. Suzanne Clarke, Crystal Dargusch, Melissa Hallett-Ramirez, Gloria Pellecer, Dawn Fein, Barbara Hall, Monique Wilson, Stephanie Cuneo, Patrice Lampkin, Sherri Moss and Briseida Regalado.
Thanks to the School Board of Broward County's District staff for facilitating the venue, Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Thanks to all of Broward Center's staff, who found giant flowers, a kabuki screen, puppet stage and gobos for a two-show performance, and accommodated 143 excited cast and crew members under the age of 12.
Thanks again to some amazing school parents and volunteers!
To our departing 5th grade actors: I was not an easy teacher because I expect great things from each of you. Actors are natural leaders, and it's up to you to find the place where your leadership makes a difference. Now you can carry yourself with pride, you can adapt to ANY situation with any one of the elements of Drama, and especially, when you make mistakes, you know to be loud about it so that you can be helped. And yes, now you can Google me. :)
Nerissa Street
