The Musical Theater Company That I Dreamed of Being a Part of as a Kid
Dear Musical Theater Company That I Dreamed of Being a Part of as a Kid,
I had this beautiful realization come over me last Tuesday while we were auditioning for the Advanced MT Ensemble. As students arrived in the lobby, only 9 days after their Into The Woods final show, they hugged and screamed for each other as each person came through the door. NINE DAYS...they couldn't stand to be apart that long! I watched them get so excited to start another show together. Then as they fabulously and skillfully learned their dance audition, I saw the growth they all demonstrated. They were truly prepared for this. And I realized that we have built the Musical Theater Company that I always dreamed of being a part of as a kid.
In 2017, I came to Music House as a voice teacher and I started helping with the production of Annie JR to "help with singing". The musical theater program at Music House consisted of one cast for one show with one giant age range and one director and Mrs. Trumbo producing. In the end, I would end up directing, designing, choreographing and music directing the show myself! After Annie, Music House hired Ms. Nicole and then Ms. Anna joined the team, followed by Ms. Gabby and now Ms. Alexa. And together, years later, we can look at the program we've built and see four age-appropriate classes with three full scale productions and one classroom performance that all happen twice per year plus two summer classes. A program that fills the year with theater and allows students to truly build their skills and a community together!
I always wanted to be a part of a company outside of my school that would carry me from the beginning of my journey in theater at age 5 to reaching my goals as a teenager and prepare me for whatever came next in college or my adult life. I was a part of a theater company in middle school that gave me so much opportunity but it ended after 8th grade. Then I was grateful and lucky enough to be in a high school that provided a fabulous theater education, but we only did one musical per year. The program we have at Music House now allows students to fill their year with musical theater or balance their theater schedule with other activities while being able to still be a part of a consistent ensemble even if they choose just one show per year. Allowing each student to get what they want and need from the program.
This last set of shows was the pinnacle of the program we have dreamed of building - finally a program for students ages 4-18 that goes year-round and provides the skill-building and community that students thrive in. And what a series of shows! I am so proud of all of each and every one of you! This weekend was incredible. From the singing to the dancing to the acting— Into The Woods, Finding Nemo KIDS and Little Mermaid JR were so fantastic. Your storytelling was truly powerful! I see the growth in all of you from day to day, show to show and year to year. And that is the kind of growth that adds up to something!
More than anything though, the way you showed up for EACH OTHER was the best part—your support for each other backstage and how you came to each other's shows and were the best cheer section ever! The best ensemble mentality and theater community! I was beaming at the sight of you all watching and supporting each other. I am so happy that I get to be a part of this theater community now. And thank you for building it with me.
Love to you all. And see you next show!
Ms. Máire
Director and Theater Coordinator
P/S If you want to join our theater community, we're excited to welcome you to the family with open arms for our next season! Come see our next shows in June, check out our summer offerings and keep an eye out for our Fall shows!
