We are so thrilled to have you join us for "Matilda"--our second musical production in the new BWHS Performing Arts Center!
As we have evolved and grown as a department, so has our staff. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge our very talented co-directors, who shared the fun, excitement, and hard work it takes to put this gigantic performance together: Mrs. Rachel Beeson, Middle School Choir Director and Assistant Musical Director; Mrs. Jodi Moriak, Vocal Coach/owner of Jodi Moriak Voice Studio LLC and Music Director; Mr. Caylib Mason, district technical guru extraordinaire, auditorium manager, and our Technical Director; Ms. Noni Maddrey, dance teacher, Pre-School owner/teacher, and our choreographer; and finally, Jay Johns, a jack of all trades and our set and special effects coordinator. I want to make sure to give each member a proper introduction, because they have put in a LOT of hours with our students, contributing their ideas and talents both in and outside of rehearsals. There is so much that goes into putting on large theatrical productions--I am grateful to have befriended so many talented individuals in the Columbus theatrical community to continue to help shape students' talents and exposure to new elements of theatre. Our students certainly deserve that level of specialized teaching, as they are among some of the most talented cast and crew members I have ever had the pleasure of directing. Watching them stretch their abilities each new show we do has truly been one of the highlights of my teaching career, and I am forever grateful to do what I love in such a loving community. I tell them all the time that they are the best kids I know--and I mean it!
Because of the immense amount of talent in this program, I keep throwing harder shows their way--and they keep rising to the occassion! "Matilda" is a very technically difficult show, and because it tells the story of a 'revolting' elementary school, Ms. Beeson and I felt it would be in the cast's best interest to bring in a few 7th and 8th graders to age everyone down a bit. We had no idea that we would have SO MANY audition, nor that we would have dozens of younger students with so much talent to make our selection even harder! This is truly a unique cast, with roughly 50% being comprised of underclassmen or middle schoolers--all of whom are brand new to a high school musical. I'm so proud that, with a few months of hard work behind them, it's nearly impossible to pick out who are newbies and who are seasoned veterans (unless, of course, you come to all of our shows and recognize several faces!) That's not just a credit to our adult staff and to those specific kids--it also speaks volumes about our the upperclassmen and seasoned pros. These are the best, hardest-working kids in the district; they truly never hesitate to take new members of our department under their wing and help them discover the thespians inside of themselves, even while hammering out difficult details in their own roles in the show.
It's also for this reason that I thought "Matilda" encompassed a lot of the core values our own students hold; even when you're 'little' you can do a lot. These are students who are respectful, intelligent, kind, and not afraid to stand up for one another and for themselves. As a new parent, I see so much in these kids of what I hope my own daughter grows up to possess in terms of character--and as their teacher and director, I am so very proud of that courage and fortitude, on and offstage. As their parents and their community, I know you are too. I hope you all walk away from their performance tonight inspired to be just as courageous and rebellious when life calls for such characteristics, and in admiration of these loud, proud, and larger than life kids! I am so proud of them, of this show, and of their hard work all around. Please join me toight in congratulating them on an excellent weekend of performances, and celebrating these 'Revolting Children!"
