A school musical production is more than just a few evenings of entertainment.
It’s a learning laboratory, for the students and the teachers.
Also, it is yet another example of the high achievement that is possible when a school program and a supportive Montezuma community are joined at the hip.
“We were very pleased with both performances this past weekend,” said Montezuma speech and drama Coach Liesl Roorda, after the Oct. 9-10 shows.
“There were many students who had not been a lead role before, and members of our ensemble who had never been on a stage prior to last weekend’s performances,” she said.
“Each individual brought their talents and worked very hard, with direction, to open this show,” Roorda said.
Roorda and Vocal Instructor Kaela Schuiteman collaborated to answer a number of Montezuma Magazine questions. We’re attributing the rest of the answers to Roorda for simplicity’s sake, but please understand that the two of them collaborated.
“We were especially impressed with our backstage, lighting and sound crews, who experienced a rush in the learning curve to master the new technologies and space, but came through for the whole cast,” Roorda said.
Photos by Allyson Fillmore
“We look forward to continuing to stretch and grow together this week and put on two more fantastic performances this coming weekend,” the coach said.
This weekend’s performance are at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. Adult are $8 and student tickets cost $5. They are available at Montezuma State Bank or may be purchased at the door.
Will people who attend this weekend see any differences from what they saw last weekend? They might.
“The most important changes will be helping the students dive even deeper into their characters,” Roorda said. “They will be encouraged to bring even more energy and emotion to their characters and tell more stories within each scene.”
“No matter whether the character is a lead or part of the ensemble, each individual is challenged to tell their own story, with each reaction and action,” Roorda said.
Allyson Fillmore, who helps with this production and also takes many photos for us, wrote on her website: “Montezuma’s fall musical never disappoints. Opening weekend was a big success thanks to everyone coming together to keep the standards high for the performances –
from community members and school staff helping to make sets and costumes to the friends and family of the school showing up to support the production on the newly-renovated stage.”
That new-look auditorium produced positive impacts in hosting its first live stage production.
“Audiences seemed to especially enjoy how much closer and intimate the cast and whole production felt to them with the stage permanently extended,” Roorda said.
“The lighting changes also helped in bringing the acting spaces closer and with colors that reflected the mood and setting of the scenes.”
“Audiences especially seemed to enjoy the comic relief of this version of the show and the little nuances we were able to add to highlight the changes.”
Among those, Roorda said, were “Lord Pinkerton’s assistant, Duke Edward and Prince Topher’s horse.”
“Many comments were also targeted to the set work led by Brian Nolton, especially the clock and also the colorful, period-appropriate costumes,” Roorda said.
“A favorite scene of many was ‘The Prince is Giving A Ball’, where almost every cast member was on stage, participating in fun singing, dancing and choreography,” Roorda said.
The speech and drama coach thanked the administration and school board for “having the vision and making the (auditorium) renovation possible.”
“The changes have been a wonderful asset to the cast, crew and audience,” Roorda said. “The crew has been experimenting with the new sound and lighting equipment and are bringing new life into our performances,” she said.
“We are so thankful to be performing in our new, beautiful space, where we have room on stage to choreograph dance numbers and act with great-sized set pieces,” Roorda said.
”If you haven’t seen it, you NEED to see it.”
– Allyson Fillmore
This kind of success requires a community, and Montezuma is glad to get out and help push!
“Throughout the entire production, bits of our community could be seen, from the wooden carts, crates, banners, ticket sales and programs, to the gorgeous costumes,” Roorda said.
“There are pieces in every scene that were built, crafted, or sewn by many, many in our giving community,” said the coach.
“A total performance of this magnitude simply cannot be done,” Roorda said, “without all of the individuals and groups who came together to share their talents and gifts.”
Concluded Fillmore: “Let me reiterate: If you haven’t seen it, you NEED to see it. If you have, you might as well cancel your weekend plans and go again, because it’s just that good!”
