Director's Note
I don't normally sympathize with historical musicals, except for Hamilton. However, before Hamilton's time, there was only one historical musical that was able to to tug at my heartstrings and actually make me want to stand up and yell. It was Newsies. As a kid, I had a very high pitched voice; and if you know who my son is, then you would know where he gets it from. Honest, it was naturally high. My family and teachers used to think I was doing it to be funny but I honestly talked in a baby voice. I was told "don't talk to me unless you use your real voice." I would sob as a kid; feeling defeated, that no one would want to listen to me even though I would have tears in my eyes saying, "this is my real voice."
As I took on this job, I always thought to myself that, no matter what, I would be the person I needed when I was younger. I needed to be the amplifier for kid's voices. It felt almost like a calling. So many students need to be heard. When I hear adults talk as if students or kids don't "need" to voice their opinions, I shudder. Please excuse my musical referencing here but, it reads "Ms. Trunchbull" and we aren't doing Matilda; although it is a great show.
The Newsies of lower Manhattan had a story to tell, endured the unimaginable and fought for the justice and equality they deserved. In the beginning, no one would listen to their voices. Newsies is based on true life events of 1899. When I think on my cast and how they are the same ages as the kids living on the streets, fighting to see another day, I can't see how someone would just walk away and not help their cause. As an educator, we take on the job to protect, educate and nuture our students. We can't see them struggling and just walk by; its unethical and morally its atrocious. My charge will always be to do whatever I can for my students.
When drafting this director's note and how connected to the show I realized I was, it never occured to me that this might be my last show at Hale as Ms. B. And as I type this, I can't help to stop the tears rolling down my face. This show, this school, these students have given me so miuch throughout my years at Hale. I credit alot of my growth as an educator to them. I came in, thinking that I would just put on a few class performances here and there and teach the basics of theater and dance. I never dreamed that it would blossom and flourish into the program that it is today.
As I pack away my desk, the memories come flooding in from shows, to class jokes, to field trips in NY fun to the love of theater and each of these students now have. I am honored that I was able to be apart of that beginning fire in all of them. With that fire ignited in them all, they will truly go out be, not only amazing performers, but amazing people in this world. I can look back and say " I knew them when."
To the families of students I have taught over the years, thank you for allowing me to introduce one of my greatest loves in the world with them. To my fellow colleagues, thank you for all your support. To the many arts organizations, that helped make this possible, thank you for your contributions. To my family, thank you for always believing in me. To my principal, mentor, friend and sister, thank you for giving me a chance, every...single...time. To our administrative assistant, who became like a mom to me, thank you for just listening to me when I needed to talk, in MY voice. To my students, I will always miss you. Always know that I am here for every one of you, I'm just an email away. Lastly, to myself, you did it girl, be proud!
Thank you for coming to see Newsies Jr.
