Dear family and friends of the Pirate Players,
As I reflect back on the last year, I recall Davey’s line, “Courage cannot erase our fears. Courage is when we face our fears.”
March 2020 began with a costume parade and the final blocking of Act II, we were gearing up to travel to Tampa Florida for the annual Florida Thespian conference, which boasts over 10,000 students from all over Florid performing on the mainstage, in one acts, and individual events in both acting and technical theater. Once the mayor of Tampa closed the city, I knew that the conference was canceled. I had to tell 20 students and parents, who worked so hard and fundraised diligently, that we were not going to Tampa. Praying, like many Americans, I watched the reports of the outbreak of COVID-19 and the pandemic spread to Flagler County, closing the doors of businesses, classrooms, and theaters.
Throughout the spring 2020, the troupe, like many families across the United States, opened up their computers and zoomed together. We held our monthly meetings, played theater games and even staged a ZOOM induction for the International Thespian Society, a honor society for theater students. We had master classes from my former student, Justin Sargent, who like many of his Broadway friends, was confined to his NY apartment. He adjudicated all those students who did not go to States and reinforced that we must continue honing our craft. We had local theater professionals from Flagler Playhouse and Jacksonville University hold master classes in voice, monologue analysis, and audio and stage management. The ubiquitous question remained: when will we open the curtain for Newsies?
"Don’t you know we’s a fam’ly?” and like Jack Kelly we stood together to raise the curtain on this show. This production has been a collaboration and a work of heart for so many people that I fear to name them less I forget someone. The entire Matanzas High School family has supported this musical, our administration has trusted us to provide a safe yet meaningful experience for our students, and the community at large has backed this production. We are indebted to all those who have been steadfast supporters. To the students, thank you for having the courage to tell the story about the underdogs who never gave up, stood their ground, and made a change. To my collegues, thank you for sharing your time and talents with us. Lastly, I would like to thank the 2020 seniors and their parents who were involved in the cast and crew who went on to follow their path; you will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Now … It is time to Seize the Day!
Best regards,
Noël Bethea
