Director's Corner...
It’s tough to say goodbye. I know, because I’ve written and rewritten this specific Director’s Corner 762 times! Believe it when they tell you writer’s block is real.
When I asked for advice as to how to begin putting my feelings and words on a page, most people told me to “write from the heart” and “just write what you know”. So that is what I am going to do. Forgive me for the theatre terms, but it really is “what I know.”
I have had such a wonderful run. While not even close to Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera run (it closed just last month after playing 13, 981 performances), I’m pretty darn proud to say that my “run” as the GLHS Theatre Director, closes in on almost 5300 classroom performances; 39, 243 daily hours, working alongside my students, not counting after school rehearsal time. I feel like it is going to be such a challenge for me personally transitioning to this next “stage.” I just want to make sure that the lighting for this next run is just as good. As time and gravity take over, I’m going to need more pink lighting to “soften and filter” the wrinkles.
Now for the “writing from the heart” part...I owe so many people so many things. I am leaving this space with such a grateful heart. I’d like to give a posthumous shout out to my cooperating teacher, Ruth “Petie” Dodrill. Thank you, Petie, for believing in me and allowing (well, making) me grow. I became a Gahanna Lincoln Lion as your student teacher long before I actually started teaching here. Thank you, too, Petie for having the foresight to put an office space in the Little Theatre. You would be astounded at the number of students (and their teacher) who have needed that space over the years. Thank you, Mr. Singer, for holding my hand when I first came to Lincoln. I REALLY thank you for losing your temper at Tom and Chris and not me. Thank you to my alumni students who have gone on to become very decent human beings. They even come back to help with the shows! They have become mothers, fathers, nurses, lawyers, ministers, doctors, business owners, teachers, and yes, some who have gone into this crazy theatre life (you know who you are.) I have had the pleasure of attending weddings of past students, as well as the honor of eulogizing the most loving individuals God put on this earth. The fact that I am teaching kids of kids I’ve taught says something about the legacy and longevity of the program. I can never thank you all enough. You are the reason my tenure has lasted so long. I will always be appreciative of having had the chance to work in a district that values the arts.
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