Quote of the Day: Here we come a-caroling among the leaves so green. Here we come a wandering, so fair to be seen. Love and joy come to you and to you glad Christmas too. And, God bless you and send you a happy new year!
The Christmas Carolers, looking all “sugar and spice and everything nice” as we warm up for our opening night performance with Stage North’s A Christmas Carol
Here’s Joy doing her Maria von Trapp impression as she warms up the Christmas Carolers.
My sister Joy and I are directing the children’s choir for a local production of “A Christmas Carol.” Stage North is a brand new theatre company, started by Gary Hirsch and Kevin Yeager. They invited us to lead the music, and we’re having a ball working with these girls. They are fun-loving, energetic, creative, kind, and talented. We have a few songs where they can let their personalities shine. For “Some Things for Christmas” and “Nuttin’ for Christmas” many of them wrote their own lyrics. We are the pre-show music, entertainment at intermission, and come in for the final number “We wish you a Merry Christmas” and curtain call. I think they’re having fun and getting some good performance experience as well.
During the down time, the entire first act and most of the second act, we hang out in our own space, the old cafeteria. The theatre is located in the former Franklin Junior High School. I brought in three of my theatre boxes and a bag of props for each group. They are in three rows for the performance, and that is their group. They are making up their own plays, inventing games, interacting with each other, making friends, and watching the performance via a dropcam on my laptop.
Top Row: Abbi, Gabriella, Callie, Gabi, and Allie
Middle Row: Thea, Emma, Peyton, Maggie, and Samina
Autumn, part of the Bottom Row girls, already into her part.
Bottom Row: Taisha and Parker
Macy, getting the play ready for the Bottom Row Girls.
I need to post three shots for the Bottom Row Girls, our smallest group, because they were so busy getting their play ready. They are building a set, props, and have a more involved story. They were already getting into character the first day. We’ll perform the skits for each other during the Saturday matinee, down in our cafeteria space. The best part about being a music director for this show is providing a theatre experience for the kids. My student Marissa accompanies three of the choir’s songs, and is providing the Atmospheric music during the performance.
If you’re in the area, we perform Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 2:00 and 7:30, and Sunday at 2:00 and 7:30. Call 218-232-6810 for tickets.
Marissa, accompanist and Atmospheric Music
To see more photos, visit my facebook page.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: What’s your favorite song for the holidays?
Happy New Year to you and your family, Mary!
Happy New Year to you, Michelle! May 2015 be filled with creative moments.