playbill vip

NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR:

My year so far has been a whirlwind but such a blast.  These students make my days worth it because of their desire to learn and grow in their artistic lives.  I am continuely impressed by their abilities to take on deeply moving and challenging characters and skills that are generally reserved for professional training.  However, here in the BCA Fine Arts Department, my vision and goal is raise up little professional artists even though they may never do it as a profession.  This is a powerful generation and we must not discount their incredible contribution to our community, our society, and specifically to the world of performing arts. 

Since starting the 2nd semester, I have been blessed to join the full time teaching staff adding film acting, graphic design, along with theatre and film production to the course load.  It's been very challenging but an exhilirating adventure forging a curriculum that is very rare in the high school arts setting, especially with our new Film Arts program, which include film production and camera acting.  Some students have branched out into the film and commercial industry getting experience in front of the camera.  I look forward to exposing them to the film and TV industry, as well as modeling, along with the continued theatre program.

In choosing this play, I wanted to give the entire student body a chance to get to know the theatre program and how I work, providing for multiple actors and characters, and so using "Spoon River Anthology" by Edgar L. Masters, we were able to do so.  I've tried to adapt his poetry, and connect the stories in a way that brings this fictional town to life and share their amazing, and sometimes darker stories. This is not a play with adolescence issues, but rather a complex, and sometimes darker portrayal of life in the late 1800's Midwest fictional town of Spoon River through its residents who have since left this world. The characters are rich in story and humor, and are wonderfully embodied by these young actors who play characters that are measurable older than they. It will appeal to the older generation who will connect with the themes, the costumes, as well as the poetic speech of the script. 

I'm so proud of each and every one of them for their work ethic, their courage, and determination to bring life to the words on the page.  I know you will join me in celebrating them tonight, and I thank you for joining us and supporting the Burlington Christian Academy Fine Arts Department.  A big thanks to Lance & Tami Kress and Studio 1 for supporting our production and providing such a wonderful theatre to perform in.  Be sure and get out to support future productions at Studio 1.  Now relax and enjoy the show!

Elijah Chester

Director