So I was chatting with some friends last night. We were discussing a survey that I filled out recently. It came to me from
Penfield
High School and was wondering what I thought of the Drama program there.
More specifically, do I think PHS should offer a full musical production every year?
A little info and history here:
Musicals are expensive, costumes, stage props, the rights to the music and so on.
They also incorporate many members of the music department, musicians, member of the chorus, select chorus and so on.
They are done in the spring, right in the middle of spring sports season, so there are some issues of concern.
Having said all that, does your football, baseball, hockey, basketball, lacrosse, swim, tennis and golf teams go to tournaments every year in
New York
State and beyond? Does the high school have kids participating in Academic competitions, some requiring a budget with travel? I think so and as well they should, that’s an important part of the high school experience, every bit as important as the spring musical!! At this time PHS puts on a musical every other year. The average kid will have only 2 opportunities to participate in this special event. As a result upper classmen are given the chance to participate first, after all their time there is waning. If the show is not a musical, there are a very limited number of roles available. Typically musicals can allow up to 40 – 50 kids to participate, the average comedy/drama or series of “One-Act” plays considerably less. It may not be “the big screen” or “the great white way” but it is a huge deal for a high school student to have their 15 minutes of fame. They deserve that opportunity, to feel the rush of the bright lights and the affirmation of their peers thunderous applause. Sure it is expensive, let those of us that feel strongly about it fund raise, I have done it for Little League and swim teams o’plenty. Yes it can interfere with spring sports, let the kids make up their own mind, they may want to try something different that year, it would make for a more well rounded student. So……Strike up the band, on with the show this is it!! YES….we want a spring musical, every year, without fail. Lets put that newly constructed auditorium to good use, fill it with the sweet sounds of our kids voices, we’ll provide the thunderous applause!
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