playbill vip

More than with any other show I’ve directed at RPA, I walked into James with little idea as to what it would actually look like. Redmond Proficiency Academy flourishes as a diverse culture and that means each fall our department is wildly different from one year to the next. In an effort to avoid artistic vision barriers, I left it open. Little did I realize that the cast and crew of this show would step into the process like none other. The immense ownership that has taken place on James and The Giant Peach is astonishing. From playful dances to witty songs, droves of costumes, a temperamental lightboard, and some truly bold acting choices, this ensemble of students has completely shaped the creative process that brought this show to life. It is their dedication, but most of all, their heart.

James and the Giant Peach is a sweet tale and easily overlooked as simply a children’s story. It would be incredibly easy to do this show poorly, but when it's done well, the work appears effortless. I assure you that while it has been undeniably fun, it was not without great trying on the part of everyone involved. To do this classic justice is to shed light on the most beautiful truth it reveals, that even in the darkest of times, families can be found in the places we least expect them. So whether your family is built, chosen, a group of mutated magical insects, or thespians in McClay, don’t forget to look around you and take it all in. 

Thank you for joining us for this adventurous story and for supporting educational theatre at Redmond Proficiency Academy.

K. Torcom

RPA Theatre Director