This column was published in the Tribune & Georgian newspaper on Wednesday (1.4.05)
By the time you read this, a unique and inspiring thing will have happened. Most of you know that school holidays ended this week and students were scheduled to return to classrooms in Camden County on Tuesday (Jan. 3). Some high school students, however, did the unthinkable – they came back to school a day earlier than required. Bright and early on Monday morning, when a large contingent of their friends was still in bed, about 40 or so actors, dancers and singers charged onto the stage at the high school auditorium. And they began to cut “Footloose.”
For the next eight hours, these dedicated students learned and laughed their way through challenging choreography, blocking, music, and movement rehearsals with their directors and choreographers. While they could have been shopping, watching TV or playing video games, these young actors worked at their craft. Just like good athletic teams don’t get that way by practicing haphazardly, theatrical productions don’t become excellent without hard work, maximum effort, positive attitude, serious dedication, and spontaneity. And I promise you that more than one cast member will say later on, “man, I hurt from all that practice.” And I guarantee their teachers and directors will assure them that it gets better and it IS worth it. I further offer that they will “get it” when they hear the audiences cheer and clap for them when the curtain drops on opening night.
These eager thespians are in the cast of the Camden High School’s Fine Arts Department musical, “Footloose.” They will be joined in late March and early April by equally hardworking musicians to perform this fun show for our community. All of them will be preparing for the next three months, during a marathon of memorization, rehearsal and refinement. This musical is filled with fun music, and features themes about the challenges that come with growing up and being a family. It is funny, instructive and redemptive. It is NOT the movie; it is the Broadway musical, about characters with which kids and adults alike can identify.
As rehearsals continue and anticipation grows, we will occasionally revisit these exciting young performers as they prepare their show for you. Most of all, keep in mind these are students on a mission, that are willing to dedicate their time and efforts to something bigger than each of them individually. Giving young people the opportunity to learn that lesson alone is another good reason to keep the arts alive and well in their lives and in our communities.
Opportunities for this week and upcoming weeks: First Wednesday Art Walk, downtown Jax galleries, museums, venues, free, Jan. 4,5-9 p.m.; New Beginnings, New Year Poetry Slam, Florida Theatre, Jan. 4, 7 p.m. (safe for kids, no cursing allowed); Theatreworks presents “Thumbelina,” Florida Theatre, original children’s musical, Jan. 8, 2 p.m.; “Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes,” Alhambra Dinner Theatre, through Feb. 19; Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra presents “Viva La France,” Times Union Ctr, Jan 6, 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Jim Brickman, Florida Theatre, Jan. 19.
If you have ideas or events you want me to share with readers, send me a note at pkraack1@tds.net.
1.4.05
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