playbill vip

...the DIRECTOR

Thank you for coming to our show!  In the pandemic-affected world we live in, it is both amazing and astounding that this show is actually happening.  Scheduled to perform Mary Poppins last year, our plans came to an abrupt end with the world shutting down in March.  In the school year we still weren't sure if there would be a show in 2020-21.  The past year has been an adventure-filled journey as we attempted to revive the show with an almost completely new cast.  Overcoming obstacles became our regular exercise.  From not having a place to rehearse or a venue in which to perform, (thank you, Southpoint),  encountering challenges with quarantines, facility issues at school , and other setbacks that tried to trip us up, we chose to cling fast to the words of our school's theme verse this year:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Though the journey to get to this performance certainly had ups and downs, we kept walking by faith and have seen God "show up" in miraculous ways.  To us, this is much more than a show but the product of many prayers, learning to trust and relying on the truth of His word.  God truly does get the glory for this show!

One of the most special parts of doing a musical is the relationships and cammeraderie that form between the cast, crew and volunteers.  We truly become like family and these kids become like my own.  Watching them learn, grow and develop their talents is a front row seat that I cherish.  In my 15 years at Harvest, and for the last seven years, I have been blessed to direct musicals in which my youngest son has been a performer.  Sharing one of my favorite things with Noah has been a great joy.  His presence and encouragement (and critique) has produced memories I will always cherish. Though I will certainly miss him, as I have others who have graduated, I look forward to the other accomplishments that lie ahead of him.  As each departing senior class does, the seniors of this cast have continued to pave the way for the students to come after them.  They have encouraged, shared, befriended and cheered on the younger students to become shining stars.  We hope that their special bonds and joy of performing will light up the stage just as they have lit up our rehearsals!  

During the show you will notice the appearance of "stars" in the audience--they represent all the parents that are stars for their commitment to their child's musical journey and the hundreds of hours spent making sure this show happened.  It is never the work of just one person and even though their bows do not happen in the curtain call, they are stars to us.

We hope you enjoy the show and join us in giving God the glory for it!

--Kim Clayton