I have always been ambitious. When I first thought about taking on the role of director at Eden there were a lot of things to consider when choosing a show. The program was still feeling the effects of Covid and its numbers were down. I wanted to do something that would get the kids excited to be a part of the show and get the community excited to come see it. We explored different Disney shows and well loved classics, but none felt “right”. Then we thought of Matilda. Matilda is AMBITIOUS. The music is catchy, but tricky. It follows the same trope that a lot of newer shows do where the entire show flows together like one giant choreographed dance. Not to mention the magic tricks that happen live onstage when telling the story of a girl who discovers she can move things with her mind! Like I said, it’s ambitious, but the more and more we thought about it the more we began to realize that Matilda is actually the perfect show to do at Eden.
As a 6-12 school, we had the opportunity to engage our younger students in a way that was really relevant to the story. To excite a whole new group of students and get them excited about musicals while still featuring our older students. There were lots of parts and lots of ways to showcase talent and it just clicked. As an added bonus we got to see some really beautiful mentorship begin to take place between the high schoolers and the middle schoolers. It was an added benefit that I couldn’t have foreseen.
Returning to Eden this year as the Director and Choreographer has been a truly beautiful gift and not one that I ever saw for myself. After graduating I went out to pursue my own theater dreams and ambitions. I have traveled the country and have worked as a performer, as a choreographer, as a teaching artist. I have tried my hand at all manners of things related to my craft but nothing has been more fulfilling than working on Matilda this year with this incredible group of students and adults.
First and foremost, joining forces with Jen Tylock and my mother, Lucinda Karstedt (who were the director and choreographer respectively for most of my own high school shows) felt like joining the Dream Team. Working with and learning from Matt Gould (who has been the director here for the past four years) has been a blessing. Getting to know and work with our fantastic creative team has been the coolest. Thank you Myles, Cassy, Jimmy and Jimmy! Not to mention, a huge thank you to the parents and families who have donated their time in pursuit of our production.
But the best part of it all has been getting to work with these students. These talented, beautiful souls who want to put on this amazing show as much as I do. From our very first rehearsal to our very last they have shown such dedication and I am so proud of each and every one of them.
There is something really beautiful about the theater program here at Eden. It ignites and drives passion and I feel so thankful to be a part of it. To this amazing cast and crew, enjoy this moment. You deserve it!
Thank you all for your support of our show. We hope you enjoy it! And remember “Even if you’re little, you can do a lot.”
Kara Sandoval
