playbill vip

It was a sunny day on April 19, 2023. We had just finished an exhausting week of tech rehearsals (and tornado drills!) for Wizard of Oz, and Mr. Price and I had gone out for a quick dinner before our actors' opening night call. 

"So this has been pretty great, huh?" 

"Yup, pretty amazing!"

"So... next year..."

"I'm in if you're in!" 

And so, Musical 2024 was started, even though we were going to "just do one and see how it goes." 

So here we are again! This year was less terrifying, but just as amazing of an experience directing these remarkable actors. The sheer talent and dedication of these students never ceases to amaze us on a daily basis. They go to school all day, succeed in their classes, play musical instruments, play sports, and still have the energy to give it their all in rehearsals. 

We chose Mary Poppins with the hope that it would showcase our wonderful students in the best way possible. There are no animal costumes, no munchkins or jitterbugs, just costumed actors doing what they do best.

And of course, since we do nothing small in our drama department, the Raue Center stage and theater were home after months of rehearsal in the RBMS Gym. Ms. Plunkett and Mr. Bransley went above and beyond with our costumes and set, managing a huge stage crew. With the help of the Prairie Ridge Theater Department and their generous loan of set pieces, Crystal Lake became 1910s London!

It often felt as though Mr. Price and I had one job: just let our actors do their thing (and press "play" on our sound cues). They did all the work. We just gave them the stage to do it the best they could.

Thank you for supporting your students, and allowing us to help them become supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!