Hundreds support Sharon Community School musical
The Sharon Community School’s production of School House Rocks Live Jr. was a huge success, according to school officials.
The school has not done a musical in many years so this was the first attempt in some time. In total, 23 actors and a stage director participated with the help of two school staff members.
There were three public performances April 6 and 7 as well as a private viewing for Big Foot High School.
The simple set included a large television cut out with a riser on each side. There were two flats with cartoon depictions of the original School House Rocks characters painted by Ms. Brandt and Stage Manager Ashley Miller that brought back memories to adults who grew up watching the educational vignettes, according to Sara Andrus, Sharon District Administrator.
Simple costumes included jeans, sneakers, and colorful School House Rocks t-shirts designed by art teacher, Paul Boland. Popular tunes included: Conjunction Junction, Just a Bill, Interjections, Interplanet Janet, A Noun Is A Person, Place, Or Thing, Great American Melting Pot, Three Is A Magic Number, The Preamble, Elbow Room, Unpack Your Adjectives, Do The Circulation.
Approximately 400 people attended the public performances, according to Andrus.
“Directors Kristin Brandt and Regan Schmidt spent many hours coaching student vocals, teaching choreography, designing the set, and helping students understand the elements of being on stage. Some of the quietest students at school were standouts in the performance, proving that theatre has its place in today’s education,” Andrus said.
All students in grades 4th through 8th at Sharon Community School were invited to audition for the performance and the response was positive, despite them knowing many long rehearsals and evening trips to Big Foot would be required.
Brandt was asked if she would do another musical at Sharon.
“I would love for this to become a Sharon Community School Tradition,” Brandt said.
Andrus agreed.
“This was an amazing opportunity for our students. I was so impressed by the high quality of the performance and I certainly would like to continue to have more musicals in the future. My hats are off to the cast and crew for their performances and to the directors for their hard work,” Andrus said.
“Many thanks are also due to Big Foot High School for truly standing up to its motto, ‘Small school, Big opportunities’ for letting us use their beautiful new auditorium! The 3rd through 8th grade student body was able to watch the performance live at the auditorium for a preview and was truly a treasured experience for our school community,” she added.
Brandt also shared what she would take away from the experience.
“The most memorable part of the show was seeing the progress all of the kids made from the first rehearsal to closing night. It was great to have such wonderful support at all the performances,” Brandt said.
“The performing arts is a way to highlight these students in a different light. By participating in musicals students find their voice through creative expression – it builds their self-confidence. I find it awesome when adults come to me and say they never knew a particular student could act or sing like that,” Schmidt added.
“This big performance has a small town talking about the talented youth in the school today in ways they had not before,” Andrus said.
