FHS Theatre teachers posted the cast list, yesterday, for the spring musical, “Pirates of Penzance.” Needless to say, the students were filled with the excitement that goes with such news.
Rehearsals for the musical will begin after the first of the year with the show scheduled for March. I’ll write more details about the show as we get closer to opening night.
That show, alone, would provide a challenging schedule for the members of APAC (the Admirals Performing Arts Company). But this year’s senior class is extremely deep and strong. A busy spring schedule is planned in addition to the musical. FHS plans to take multiple competition pieces to the district (and hopefully state) competition. There will also be a slate of Comedy Improv Shows (in addition to the remaining fall show next week).
The strong students are up to the task.
This particular group of seniors is amazing. Not only are they talented, they’re also humble. They’re also willing to take the underclassmen under their collective wings (understanding that, next year, this group will emerge as the leaders of the program and they’ll be very good). Some of them are talented on stage; others excel behind the scenes.
At various times, members of this senior class have held lead parts in the various productions and at other times, they’ve been cast in supporting roles. In either case, they have an ‘all for one’ spirit that has been particularly pleasing to watch. And as parent volunteers in the program, Lisa and I have seen up close how well they’re all willing to work together – to pitch in to do whatever needs doing, starting with grunt work and physical labor through the tasks of set design and set-building to staging the actual performance.
The hours are long but the students don’t mind. They enjoy working together and they enjoy the work.
It has also been fun (as both a parent and a volunteer) to watch this group of seniors grow and develop throughout their years at FHS. From the first times they appeared on the stage, it was apparent they were a special group. I think that was the case even when they were eighth graders next door at FMS when they produced the FMS production of Willy Wonka.
From Wonka to Pirates, their talent and confidence has grown. Now, as we head into the holiday season, the lights of the theatre will grow dark for a few weeks. But, after the first of the year, activity will pick up quickly.
In the long race that is high school, the senior APAC members are about to make that final turn and begin down the homestretch of their FHS careers.
It’s been a fun ride and should be a fantastic finish.
JG
Originally posted 11/28/2012
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