"Rock got no reason, Rock got no rhyme!"
Welcome to a show unlike any other we've brought to the Syosset stage in all the years I've been privileged to work with these amazing young people in our Theatre Program. Yes, we've produced many non-musicals where we've had musicians on stage - mostly in our Shakespearean productions - but in this show we had the opportunity to really collaborate in a different way with our award-winning Music Department and the end result is pure magic.
School of Rock tells the story of an unlikely educator who truly strikes a chord with his students. Dewey Finn’s unconventional yet positive influence on the students of Horace Greene had me thinking about all the numerous teachers I have been fortunate to have through different apects of my life—Theatre, English, Education, Dance, EMS Services — all who have in their own ways inspired and challenged me to push the boundaries of my creativity in all that I do.
And I would venture to guess that I'm not alone. Most of us have experienced the incredible impact of a special teacher, one that comes into our lives and makes that connection and really helps us to "see it" and understand what lies within us. That helps us see the good in ourselves that we can't see on our own. I left my own days of performing on stage behind many years ago as life took a different turn. Since then as a director, and parent of creative children myself, I've found my perspective has shifted. The growth and joy that come from nurturing creativity and helping these students push their limits has been more satisfying than role I played or any lesson I’ve ever had in any of my many diverse fields of study!
In his class/band, Dewey’s high achieving students learn to idealize something other than accolades and awards for the very first time. They learn to nuture that special creativity within them that pushes the boundaries and helps them express who they really are inside. They learn it's not about the awards, it's not about the gold stars, it's about feeling deep down the worth of what you do. The band they create with Dewey's guidance embodies the idea that attitude, resilience, perseverance and authenticity to our selves are what truly define our success.
Our Syosset Theatre Program, and this production in particular, is so stacked with actual rock stars that these final rehearsals preparing for what you're going to see onstage made me feel like I was in the VIP section at a very exclusive venue. In my other life I've had the chance to work backstage at rock concerts (a story for another time) but it still didn't give me the excited thrill to see what these amazing performers have managed to accomplish. Working here with this cast and crew has truly been an honor and an education for me. Each of them has brought something unique theirs to the show, and I am so proud and grateful to have joined this band.
As you rock out tonight, I hope you are reminded of the powerful impact educators can have and are perhaps inspired to embrace your own passions with enthusiasm. Remember those teachers who've come into your lives and with a little nudge of encouragement steered you on the path towards what you really should be doing. For me it was Emily Van Sweden who, in her own way, was MY Dewey Finn. She saw something in me that she thought was funny, creative, artistic and worthy of nuturing. Without her, I never would have embarked on the long journey that initially led me to this moment right now. I would venture to guess we've all had a Dewey in our lives who only wanted for us to be uniquely who we are. If we can think back on their words and, if we'd only listen, perhaps it'll remind us all of the artist inside each and every one of us, and that in itself is a win.
Or, as a wise prophet once said, “We are the champions, my friends.”
