A Note From Tim Siess
The shows that Katie and I have done together started rather inauspiciously, with a version of Anything Goes (chosen before her arrival at UHS) that neither of us liked. (True confessions — I’ve done the show 3 times, and never really enjoyed any of the versions!) But after we got past that, it was hit after hit. Fiddler on the Roof – Cinderella — Wizard of Oz — High School Musical — Shrek – Annie – and now our grand finale – Hadestown!
Every show presents a unique challenge — the demands on the cast varies, and the demands of the orchestra are completely different from show to show. And let’d be honest – none of these shows were written with high school instrumentalists in mind. I would like to have a chat with the person who decided that doing Broadway shows in high school was a good idea! Nonetheless, when its all said and done, it’s as close to a professional experience as we can provide to high school students.
One of my favorite days in the run-up to a show is the day the pit cover comes off – and it suddenly gets real that show time is fast approaching!. It never gets old when the orchestra experiences being in the pit with the stand lights and everybody packed in – it’s just SO different than anything they have ever done before! I have to keep telling myself that this is the last one, because when I am in the pits surrounded by a good orchestra, and a good cast on stage – its just…..SO…..MUCH…..FUN!
A very smart “pay it forward” investment that the district made was to allocate some funding so that elementary school students could travel to a high school to see a show. In the pantheon of “happy sounds in the universe” is the sound of little kids coming into the UHS auditorium and seeing the stage and the set – SO much excitement – I’ll never forget those little voices! We have done enough of these shows that now that many in the cast/crew/orchestra that you will see tonight came to a show here when they were small – and walked away thinking, “some day I want to do THAT!”
On a personal note – Katie has been an absolute joy to work with. Always organized, always with a smile and a sense of humor about it all; and always coming from a healthy perspective that, even at its very best – it’s just a high school show. We have a wonderful tradition here at UHS – take care of it – treasure it – it doesn’t exist everywhere!
Katie – thanks for all the magic – its been amazing!!
