A Note from the Directors:
If there is one thing that 2020 has taught us, it is that HBE kids can do VIRTUALLY anything!
The beginning of the year held so much uncertainty, but there was one thing that we were certain about - the show would go on. This show would be different, and probably even more challenging than normal, but like T.S. Elliot said, "if you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?" Well, we can tell everyone that this cast must be 1,000 feet tall!
First up...Google Meet auditions! As everyone now knows, Google Meets sometimes have a mind of their own. Lagging, glitching, freezing...these are words that we've become all too familiar with this year. But this cast was amazing right from the start. Auditions were incredible, and completly energized us! We knew that this show would rock, no matter how it was delivered.
Scheduling rehearsals was a feat right in line with 2020! Cohort 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B...plus our fully remote cast members! We switched, rearranged, and added days and times. We were ready!! Virtual rehearsals had begun. It was inspiring, to say the least, to watch these young actors take it all in stride. They have definitely taught us a thing or two about going with the flow.
Moana, Jr. was such a fun, energetic show to direct. The students took on the enormous job of learning a lot of their dances completely on their own. There were numerous videos posted to our Google classroom, highlighting and teaching the students their dances for each character throughout the show. The students really brought the dances to life! Since almost all of the dancing was learned remotely, the kids often added their own flare to the steps and we couldn't have been happier! This was one aspect of "remote directing" we truly learned to love.
Last year when we decided on Moana, Jr., the world looked so very different. We envisioned the stage and how we would transform it into a far away island village, a beautiful ocean passageway, and shiny cavern at the bottom of the sea. The lighting, the energy and the overall breath of the show happens when the curtain opens. We were crushed when we realized it wasn't going to be the way we imagined. So many unique experiences happened while directing this elementary school drama production virtually. We were able to really get to know each cast member individually and that was a gift in itself.
We drew inspiration from so many lines in this show. Here are a few of our most treasured...
Maui, hero, shapeshifter, Demi-god of the wind and sea, definitely said it best, "Muscle up, buttercup!" And the HBE Drama Club most definitely did just that (and then some)!!
Sina said, "Sometimes, who we wish we were, what we wish we could do, it's just not meant to be." We wished and hoped for our stage debut with this amazing show, but the world had other plans and a traditional opening night was not meant to be.
But in the end, we all created something just as special. We found that "the call isn't out there at all, it's inside us." We hope that each and every one of our cast members remembers this quote every time life throws them a lemon.
To the cast: Congratulations on an incredible show! We are so proud of you and we love you!
To our 6th graders: Always remember the wise words of Rafiki and "Remember, who you are," and that you will always have a home at HBE. As Peter once said, "All the world is made of faith, trust and pixie dust." You have shown us so much magic these past three years, it's hard not to believe. We know you are destined for great things and we feel so blessed to have been a part of your journey. We love you and will miss you!!
Love, Mrs. Prundl & Mrs. Valentine
