Jessica Chipman (Director) teaches theatre arts and English in District 206. Favorite directing credits include Footloose, The Laramie Project, and Argonautika. Ms. Chipman's playwriting work includes the titles Neighborhood Sampling, Icarus, and 99 Balloons. MA, Theatre Production, Central Washington University. Love to Ruby and Cora for all the beautiful days. For Jay.
Kayla Noble (Assistant Director, Vocal Coach) is in her sixth season as the Assistant Director/Vocal Coach for the AAHS fall musical. Kayla teaches K-5 music at Lincoln Elementary School and is a Music Director at Calvary Lutheran Church. She received her Bachelor of Music Education and Theatre Arts minor at Concordia College, Moorhead. She is currently working on her Masters in Music Education at North Dakota State University.
Ray Noble (Sound Engineer, Pit Director) received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Concordia College, Moorhead. He currently teaches K-12 music at Parkers Prairie Public Schools, directs the adult choir at Calvary Lutheran Church, and is involved with many Central Lakes Area fine arts organizations. This is Raymond’s sixth musical production with AAHS.
From the Director
Sometimes stories tell you when they need to be told. My relationship with Tuck Everlasting started with a trip to New York City in the summer of 2016, when I was fortunate to attend a Broadway Teachers Workshop. One of the shows slated to be featured was Tuck Everlasting. I didn't know the plot or music. A kids' show, I thought? Pass. After all, there was a little musical called Hamilton to be seen. There was the prior year's Best Musical Tony winner, Fun Home.
The following spring I was searching for the right musical for our students for this fall. I had one in mind I thought was a good fit and told a trusted friend. Do you know Tuck Everlasting, she said? Oh, that kids' show? I researched, I read, and I couldn't believe I misjudged it. More than my interest in Hamilton and Fun Home combined, I fell in love with Tuck Everlasting; I felt it would be a perfect fit for our students and community, and it became my mission to do the show. When we were fortunate enough to be chosen to be one of the first high schools to produce Tuck, I think there was literal jumping for joy.
Those of us who have worked on this production thank you! You came to some "kids' show" tonight. Maybe when you leave you'll be humming an unfamiliar tune that you now know. Maybe you'll be thinking of a favorite memory or your most beautiful day. Maybe you'll contemplate time and how we spend it. Maybe you'll be like me and be profoundly changed by the students and the story.
To parents and families of the students participating tonight, thank you for sharing your loved ones with the directing staff. We think they're wonderful. To our crew and orchestra, the directors appreciate the hours and love you have given to this production! To the beloved cast and stage managers, thank you for being the right team for Tuck Everlasting, and for reminding me that journey was the point all along. #Ridethewheel today and all days!
Tuck Everlasting closed on Broadway before the Broadway Teachers' Workshop in 2016, so tonight's production by our heartfelt students is the only one I know. I'm so glad. I hope you'll feel the same.
Jessica Chipman
November 2017
