Out of Retirement and Back On To The Stage
The Glue Factory and Advanced Drama perform their fall musical "The Music Man."
By Jocelyn Cosgrove
The Glue Factory and Advanced Drama perform their fall musical "The Music Man."
By Jocelyn Cosgrove
On Oct. 26, the Glue Factory, in association with Pioneer’s Advanced Drama class, performed their opening night performance of Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man” for friends, family and others who wished to watch this year’s fall musical.
Set in the year 1912, “The Music Man” follows con artist Professor Harold Hill, played by director and former drama teacher Steve Dini, who takes his schemes to the outdated and dramatic city of River City, Iowa. He proposes his scheme of starting a kids band to the townsfolk of River City, included with instruments, uniforms and learning the values of every good and respectful citizen. In order for this to work, he must divert the attention of the librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo, played by music director Marissa Nishimoto Bacon, elsewhere.
“The Music Man” is the third performance that The Glue Factory has performed with the entire Advanced Drama class. Anya Nordin, 10, who was a part of the student ensemble and worked with stage crew, felt that being a part of the musical was very fun especially with the larger cast.
“It feels great to contribute to the show and the community around it,” said Nordin. “Working with the Glue Factory cast has been great because they are talented and passionate new people we get to perform with.”
Principal Brad Craycroft, who played Charlie Cowell, felt that by joining the cast for “The Music Man” he would be able to learn more about the drama program.
“I think that there is something for every kid to get involved in and by learning about the programs, I’m able to connect with kids and learn how to support the programs and help them grow,” said Craycroft. “With this one, I know Pioneer’s drama department works really hard at connecting adults with kids with the Glue Factory and so I thought there was a great opportunity to connect with students and support the program and be a part of it.”
English teacher Kathleen Quint, who played Maud Brit, enjoyed having the shared experience of acting with the drama students especially since they bring a lot of energy to the production.
“It’s fun to have the students both because they do different things in their scenes than we do and it’s also fun to see them backstage be excited and wave at them from the other side and give them a thumbs up when a scene goes well,” said Quint.
Luke Jennings, 11, who was part of the student ensemble and later filled in as Tommy Djilas, felt that after all of the hard work put into the musical, it was rewarding to see it all together.
“Getting to the run-throughs of the entire show with both the student and Glue Factory cast was definitely the highlight of the rehearsal process. It always is,” said Jennings.
After the last performance on Oct. 29, a special presentation announced that the PAC stage would be dedicated to Dini for what he has done for the drama program and community.
“We have things like teacher of the year that we give out every year, but when someone that’s made this much of an impact on the school and our community here, retires, it’s just a wonderful thing to make sure that we keep that legacy going and we hope that by naming the stage and putting a plaque up there, that as people enter stage year after year after year, that they’ll look at that plaque and they’ll remember what we do why we do what we do,” said drama teacher Ashley Coleman. “They’ll think back to the things (Dini) has taught us or the things he has taught me that now I’m trying to teach my students. The things that are far more valuable than just theater themselves. It’s the values behind it. That is why we chose to dedicate the stage to him as a commemoration of his legacy and as a reminder to all of us of what we do when we perform.”
Set in the year 1912, “The Music Man” follows con artist Professor Harold Hill, played by director and former drama teacher Steve Dini, who takes his schemes to the outdated and dramatic city of River City, Iowa. He proposes his scheme of starting a kids band to the townsfolk of River City, included with instruments, uniforms and learning the values of every good and respectful citizen. In order for this to work, he must divert the attention of the librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo, played by music director Marissa Nishimoto Bacon, elsewhere.
“The Music Man” is the third performance that The Glue Factory has performed with the entire Advanced Drama class. Anya Nordin, 10, who was a part of the student ensemble and worked with stage crew, felt that being a part of the musical was very fun especially with the larger cast.
“It feels great to contribute to the show and the community around it,” said Nordin. “Working with the Glue Factory cast has been great because they are talented and passionate new people we get to perform with.”
Principal Brad Craycroft, who played Charlie Cowell, felt that by joining the cast for “The Music Man” he would be able to learn more about the drama program.
“I think that there is something for every kid to get involved in and by learning about the programs, I’m able to connect with kids and learn how to support the programs and help them grow,” said Craycroft. “With this one, I know Pioneer’s drama department works really hard at connecting adults with kids with the Glue Factory and so I thought there was a great opportunity to connect with students and support the program and be a part of it.”
English teacher Kathleen Quint, who played Maud Brit, enjoyed having the shared experience of acting with the drama students especially since they bring a lot of energy to the production.
“It’s fun to have the students both because they do different things in their scenes than we do and it’s also fun to see them backstage be excited and wave at them from the other side and give them a thumbs up when a scene goes well,” said Quint.
Luke Jennings, 11, who was part of the student ensemble and later filled in as Tommy Djilas, felt that after all of the hard work put into the musical, it was rewarding to see it all together.
“Getting to the run-throughs of the entire show with both the student and Glue Factory cast was definitely the highlight of the rehearsal process. It always is,” said Jennings.
After the last performance on Oct. 29, a special presentation announced that the PAC stage would be dedicated to Dini for what he has done for the drama program and community.
“We have things like teacher of the year that we give out every year, but when someone that’s made this much of an impact on the school and our community here, retires, it’s just a wonderful thing to make sure that we keep that legacy going and we hope that by naming the stage and putting a plaque up there, that as people enter stage year after year after year, that they’ll look at that plaque and they’ll remember what we do why we do what we do,” said drama teacher Ashley Coleman. “They’ll think back to the things (Dini) has taught us or the things he has taught me that now I’m trying to teach my students. The things that are far more valuable than just theater themselves. It’s the values behind it. That is why we chose to dedicate the stage to him as a commemoration of his legacy and as a reminder to all of us of what we do when we perform.”