November, 2017, a month that would change my life. I had been looking forward to the New Year and having wrapped up all of my many theatre contacts and maybe, finally, having a day off until I got a text from my mother with a woman’s name and an email which simply said, “Text her now. Job.” I rolled my eyes trying to imagine how much more could I take on? I was in tech week for one show, rehearsals for another show that opened the following week and also costuming a show that would go up in two more weeks. Needless to say, sleep and sanity were faded dreams at this point. I simply closed out the text, threw my phone in my bag and continued to paint a set which had to be done in 2 more hours. Then, I felt the vibration of a call coming in. It was my dad. Cue, eye roll again. I answered. His message was basically the same, his warehouse guy’s daughter goes to a school in Sullivan and they need someone to direct their play, he also gave me the same woman’s email and he told me to email her now. I said I would and hung up. No email was sent.
Fast forward a week, one show was off of my list, only two more left and then I would be free for a few short days then start the January theatre rush of auditions and interviews. I had taken some time off from teaching and decided to return to my theatrical roots to learn some new techniques and build up my resume. That decision would not last long. I remember sitting in bed trying to plan out my week and coming across that text from my mom. I didn’t know what had caused this school to need a director, but I remembered my former students and also myself as a student and could not imagine letting a school go without a show. I opened my email and typed up a quick message and off it went. Moments later I received a response and the next day I was in the principal’s office. This lady seemed pretty awesome, I could do this. It’s close to the show I was working on, I could make it work...ok, why not? The following day we scheduled a rehearsal to see what the kids had already gone through with the former teacher. I remember sitting down and hardly any one had a script, most of the show was not cast, and no one had blocking down. The principal and I decided to scrap that show and that evening I would adapt A Christmas Carol, we would push the show date back to give us 4 weeks and away we went!
In just two short years, these students before you have created 7 wonderful productions. Quite a feat for a program that had gone through four teachers in four years. This production is their third full length play, with three one acts and one musical under their belts. The students went from not knowing how to write blocking to building and designing their own elements. We even have a class just for Technical Theatre and Design!
Each show that is chosen for our season is picked in order to allow the students to grow as artists and to broaden their abilities. Parfumerie was chosen to show that they could actually build their own sets, memorize lines and create a 3 dimensional production. Arsenic and Old Lace to build comedic timing and design concept actualization. The Winter One Acts to broaden their empathy to the characters they play as well as performing up close to the audience. The Hunchback of Notre Dame showed us all that these amazing students can create an epic production! And now, tackling the works of Shakespeare in a three man show filled with props, costumes, improv and chaos!
The ability to create, to design and to share my artistic passion is my lifelong goal. Being in a classroom has always been a calling. However, sharing my talents with my students, seeing them mentor the younger members of our company and finally seeing those lights come up on show night is everything I live for! We still have a lot of growing to do, we still have a lot of challenges to overcome. However, without this amazing administration's support and dedication to our program we would be doomed. Without your commitment to seeing our growth and supporting us through donations and ticket sales our productions would cease to exist. Without students deciding to take that leap and sign up to audition or turn in a technician application our art form would die. I cannot thank you enough for supporting us in each and every small and large effort. We cannot wait to show you this fun and fabulous production and each production left in our wonderful season!
Tag,
W
