playbill vip

     When choosing an elementary production this year, we sought a literary classic with life lessons.  We knew, however, that our students deserved more than a simplistic adaptation with corny songs.  The question was, could we tackle a two-hour show instead of a 45-minute one?  Could they handle an adaptation by Joseph Robinette (A Christmas Story, The Musical),  and Charles Strouse who brought us Bye Bye Birdie and Annie?  Then we threw into the mix, the fact that there were no rehearsal tracks with words available for them to practice with.  But these kids have risen to the challenge with heart and hard work. 

     The show has taken on special meaning to me as I finish my 25th year at NCS.  Like Charlotte, the end of the day often finds me tired, with work still ahead of me. I feel that I have also been able to entrust something very precious to me to the hands of someone else. The Theater Department at Nashville Christian School is flourishing.  With growth comes change. 

     Many have asked me over the course of the year how I am handling these changes.  As I have prayed for wisdom, God has shown me the passage I Corinthians 3:6-7 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.. “  I believe it has been my calling to build and nurture a fledgling program to the point where it is ready to fly to new heights.  God has blessed us with additional staff and leadership and tremendous growth.

     Charlotte gave her life’s work, her egg sac, into Wilbur’s care with the aid of Templeton.  She would not live to see her children flourish and fly.  I have the unique blessing of seeing students I’ve directed in theater bring their children back to grow up in the theater program and become leaders.  Something magical happened on Zuckerman’s farm because of sacrifice, love and friendship.  Something magical has happened in my life because of the opportunity to work in the lives of young people through theater.  It is my prayer that they know they are terrific, that they live radiant lives and that they remain humble servants of the One who makes this all possible.