Pirates of Penzance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Below are comments and anecdotes by GFS faculty, staff, and students on their experience performing Pirates of Penzance in March 2009.
Click here to view photo gallery
Contributors:
Connor Bartholomew, Fred Brown, Lisa Burns, Liz Cheek, Caroline Davidson, David Elder, Taya Friedan, Alex Gilliam, Dana Griffin, Anne Hess, Nate Krasner, Marie Larkin, Michelle Palmer, Jeremy Ross, Kackie St. Clair, Carl Tannenbaum, Brett Turner, Kelsey Turner, Sally West Williams.
- I
have never felt so close to my teachers and adults as I have to the people I
had the privilege to work with during Pirates.
It was so exhilarating to see the skill levels of people whom I saw and
learned from on a daily basis. I never
imagined that my chemistry teacher had such excellent singing abilities or a math teacher could dance so well. It was
a mutual learning experience. The
teachers looked up to us for our musical standing. I have a newfound regard for the adults as
people.
- I
loved the multi-generational phenomenon.
I hope we do it again. We were
all in the same boat, and we were really equals, bringing our best to a
community endeavor. It was great to see
how much my former students have grown up and matured.
- I
asked a student about the multi-generational concept, and it was thought to be
a big mistake, since students come to faculty shows to be amused by
embarrassing situations. Thinking the
faculty involvement would diminish the student production, students were
surprised to find out how much effort the adults put into the preparation for
the show. When the Pirates had found out
how good the "police" had become, they increased their intensity fifty-fold. There was friendly competition, but we all
just enjoyed striving to achieve our best.
- The
experience reminded me of what it was like to be a student—to be busy with
night rehearsals, to feel put on the spot, to be stretched and challenged, to
be nervous.
- I
now have new friends and know some extraordinary things about some folk that I
could not have learned any other way.
For example, some adults can act like fifteen year-olds given the
opportunity. "Ta-ran-ta-ra" goes through
my head like a cavalry charge at peculiar moments and I get a secret chuckle.
- I
have to admit that I really hope that GFS carries on a new tradition of
student/faculty/staff musicals because I had so much fun participating in this
musical, not to mention I loved working with and watching the adults
perform. It’s funny, being a student you
get into this mindset where all you think teachers do is teach. It doesn’t seem possible that they could have
a life or other talents. I made new
connections, and realized with each rehearsal that the adults became more
human. At times they can take after the
students by becoming a little too chatty (in the best way of course!) Mainly what I know is that I now have a close
bond with those involved with Pirates.
During rough times, people were supportive. I have made great friends and memories, and
no one can take this experience away from me.
- Hanging
out in the West Room, listening to students was warm, fuzzy, and
enlightening. There is a sense of
connection with all the students and adults, which had not happened
before.
- The
adults brought with them experience and knowledge about performing that only
comes with years of being in different performances, and speaking in front of
classes every day. The play created a
different kind of professional relationship that would not normally be
possible. The play was an awesome
experience because of it.
- Normally
being a coach and an authority figure, it was interesting to be on the same
team as my players. I was so inspired by
their energy, encouragement, support, and professionalism. I really enjoyed the opportunity to be a part
of the production.
- I
hated the idea at the beginning. If
thought that some of the teachers would either get far too caught up in the
process, forgetting to have fun, or would not take it seriously at all. I was pleasantly surprised. I had a great time working with the adults,
and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I feel more connected with many of the faculty than ever before.
- I thought that the collaboration of students and faculty made the whole process
more enjoyable. It really showed how
much the adults enjoy being there that they gave so much of their free time to
be in this play. I loved getting to know
some of the teachers as people that I wouldn’t have gotten to do
otherwise. The collaboration was a great
way to breathe new life into the school.
It was a real community builder in the most genuine sense.
- Every
morning in the shower, I can’t help singing “Oh, dry the glistening tear, that
dews that martial cheek, they loving children hear, in them thy comfort seek…”
- For
dinner preparation, I broke out into song. "Asparagus, Asparagus," inspired by "A
Paradox a Paradox." amused my friend.
- I
savor the moments, and there are many, when a word or turn of a phrase triggers
a memory of the songs, people, and experience that Pirates gave us all.
|
|
|
|
|
| |