From the School Stage

Day 1 of 31 posts for the Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted by the team at Two Writing Teachers, Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, and Beth.
Head over to the link up for seconds or to serve up your own slice!

Last night roads were wet. Black top slick with steady drizzle. Temperatures hovered in the fifties all day as clouds squatted low to the ground.  The weather did not keep us home from the final performance of Grease though.Nearly seventy-five people had a hand in this year's show. Many of them were my students. Their hard work, dedication and energy is clear in the show's trailer on YouTube. 

My son and I had third row seats. Can I just say that I love how technology has caught up to the ticketing process--the tickets and online purchasing options make this production seem professional. Not so long ago we were paying for tickets at the window (cash or check) and getting a blue or red all-purpose ticket ripped off of a huge roll, no assigned seats and no rip off edge. This ticket is one for the memory box. 

Up close, sitting center stage, the leaps and jumps, the sharp limbs and swishing skirts, the hops and skips, streamed energy from the stage. The lighting always amazes me, the glow and the color. This show started with the Greasers in silhouette. Color panes popped as characters came to life in song and dance.

We marveled at the sets--six, seven, I lost count of how many double-sided, rolled-on-wheels scenes took center stage: the burger palace, the two teen bedrooms, a gymnasium,  a bleacher scene.  The students who worked stage craft did a terrific job creating, moving, spinning and shifting the scenes throughout the show. The entire tech crew did a fantastic job. . 

My students delighted me. From Brandon's portrayal of Roger "the mooner" to Clara's Patty and Widlin's Greaser role, the kids looked sharp (and happy). Santiago on drums in the pit, Madelyn at the door and Natasha scooting scenes across the stage--I can't name them all, but they are the people behind and in the production.

Widlin is behind Brandon (red shirt)  in this scene from the locker room.

Even administrators played roles in the production. For the performance we saw, Mr. Alvarado and Ms. Schmitt, both deans, played parts: Vince Fontaine and the uptight English teacher, Mrs. Lynch. The audience ate them up!  This is the kind of relationship building that lasts. 

Mr. Alvarado and Ms. Schmitt center stage during the school dance scene.

Mr. Williams, the drama teacher and angel crooner nearly stole the show when he floated down from the clouds to sing "Beauty School Drop Out." The silvery beauty capes  and bee-hived, sparkly rollers on his back up singers were some of the best costumes of the evening. Hours and hours of work, evident in the joy on the stage. 

Mr. Williams sparkles in his white suit and Katelyn, far right, sports my favorite head dress and costume of the evening. Great number!

Mr. Tolar,  grand master of the pit, Mr. Kahn and Mr. Williams make it look easy. But we know the kind of work that goes into making things look easy, don't we?

 Congratulations cast and crew! Great show!


C