If you look at our 2014-2015 Spotlight t-shirt, on the back you will see a collection of nouns. Musician. Choreographer. Painter. Actor. Visionary. Technician. Stylist. Others as well. When considering the concept for the shirt, the officers and I discussed how we are a diverse group with many skills--skills we can share with one another for the betterment of the group.
It is only because of such a collaborative and supportive atmosphere that I was even able to entertain the notion of taking on Sweeney Todd.
For one, Spotlight is not a musical theatre class. While some schools do have such a course, Spotlight is the Theatre Production class. We do not even have a musical theatre course in our schedule.
Second, Sweeney Todd is probably Stephen Sondheim's most difficult musical. To take on a project of this magnitude, you have to be sure you have sharp people who can analyze...and teach others...the complex and intricate rhythms characteristic of Sondheim's work.
Third, I was depending completely on students to pull this off. Completely. Flip back a few pages to the Crew section. There are no adults listed there. Every name you see is a high school student. They taught the music. They costumed the characters. They designed the lighting. They publicized the show. They painted the scenery. They balanced the sound. They encouraged each other. They directed. They collaborated. They produced.
So what happened was that this enormous challenge I issued emerged as one of the most awesome creative processes I have ever experienced. I am overwhelmed by all the sharing of talent from each person to the next. I was never once surprised to find the students taking it upon themselves to help one another without being asked and to demonstrate self-motivation in completing necessary tasks.
I also hoped to help each Spotlighter become more confident in his or her musicals skills--a goal which I think all of you will see has been achieved.
And of course, being emotionally invested in the story we are telling also helps.
Thanks to all of Spotlight Productions for the hard work and dedication to this production. However, without Shannon White and Adam Jelic, we could have never pulled this off. So to both of you: thank you, thank you, thank you for giving so much of your time to your peers.
Many parents took also gave of their time to make sure this show came together. To each of you, my deepest gratitude for your contributions and time. Thank you.
Thanks also to my friend Bear Hamilton for his technical prowess and mentorship with the technical crew. And thank you for creating a workable sound environment for this space.
Finally, thanks to my wife and daughter for understanding. Love to you both.
And now...attend the tale.
Thank you for joining us.
Mitchell
