Dear Avalon Family,
What an adventure we have been on this year. A year ago our Theatres were closed. Our set for The little Mermaid lay empty and half-finished on the stage. And none of us knew what the year ahead of us had in store.
Beyond anything, I have been more than proud of the way my students have handled themselves during these "different" times. Over the past year, we have managed to bring 5 shows to the virtual stage, with over 13 different shows being showcased virtually on different weekends. We have held on to traditions and also found some new ways of doing things along the way. But, through it all, my students have kept a positive attitude and we returned to our stage differently, but with a lot of joy.
The process of directing "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" is a difficult process without the restrictions of a pandemic. The world of Christopher is dynamic and different. One of the amazing parts of this show is how the show immerses it's audience into a world outside of their own. It's a challenge. But, through a lot of tough work and intense conversations, I think these students have done just that and I am so pleased to bring it to your attention this weekend.
Over a week, we set up our stage as more of a film studio than live theatre. We worked through shots, angles, lighting and movement towards and away from the camera. We watched playback, thought through viewpoints, and took care to make sure our audience went on a journey rather than a passive view. Our worlds are very different right now, but it's been an amazing journey along the way.
As always, with any show, there are a ton of people to thank. First off, thank you to our amazing JCHS Admin who have allowed me to figure out the ropes and make strides forward into very unknown territory. Their unwavering support gave us the foundation to find this new path. Thank you to our Theatre boosters who support us on every step, and help me to think outside the box or honestly, cheer us on to keep moving forward. Thank you to the Fine Arts Admin who helped to support us financially in a very tough year. Thank you to Sarah Anderson who volunteered to be an extra set of eyes and ears with the current restrictions which would make it impossible to film with everyone together otherwise. Thank you to my awesome family. You all deal with me ranting late into the night, yet we made it. Summer is coming, I promise.
And finally, thank you dear Patron. Your support this year has helped keep our lights on and our smiles under the masks still growing.
Stay Safe and Well,
Nicki Cabaniss, Director
