Members of the audience were at the edge of the stage shaking their hair and dancing during the performance by the group Elephant Logic at the Freshman Talent Show on Fri, May 1. Backstage crew danced onstage behind the group. It was a high point of the show.
Elephant Logic's Kaela Meehan, Tim Wellman, Megan Gilliam, Daniel Ainsworth and Alana Butterfield, an ad hoc group, energized the crowd with "Here it goes."
Having deposited over $1100 (before expenses) the 09 Talent Show was a considerable monetary success. But the principal measure of its triumph was the large number of students - about 45 - and parents - some 15 - who participated.
My daily partners in the production - which spanned 7 days after school - were teacher Ginger Marks and parents Mattie Collins and Donna Bishop.
Long-range planning was aided by parent Barbara Meyers as well as Tim Wellman and Ruth Bishop.
The Most Valuable Player award goes to Isabelle Vea, who designed and produced (along with Ruth Bishop) the program. Isabelle also anchored the sound board for practices and the performance. She also contributed a large amount of art to the Student Art Exhibit in the lobby.
Also behind the scenes but important to the show's production were Emily Horan on the light board as well as Nathan Benyounes & Austin Brewer on spotlight. Backstage the show depended on Mary Martha Breithaupt, Kat Hendrix, Kayla Hughes, Rae Ann Scruggs, Cameron Roberts, Georgia Buckley, Emily Hamann and Jenny Fourcade.
In script writing, concepts and executive production, thanks go to Maya Franklin, Ruth Bishop, Sarabeth Rivers and Mary Meyers.
The Emcees were Austin Brewer, Nathan Benyounes, Roger Kalmbach, Tierra Range, Sarabeth Rivers, Arash Ataei, Kenda Copeland, Susan Zibari, Mary Meyers, Emily Hamann, Karishma Rao, Maya Franklin, Ruth Bishop and Rachel Corona,
Nathan Benyounes and Austin Brewer opened the show by dueling with sabres - in the aisles of the PAC.
Roger Kalmbach used Cameron Roberts as his foil during an athletic and tuneful song-and-dance routine from Shrek the Musical.
Gorgeous piano from Debussy was performed by Ruth Bishop. Christopher Mazen, Cmhs senior, played bluesy piano on an Etta Bishop tune as Cara Watson sang. Also performing on piano was Arash Ataei.
Closing the show on piano was Luke White. He provided a soundtrack to a slide show of the Class of 2012 which was shot and produced by Lexi Horne.
Elegant solo singing was presented by Christina Collins, Kalea Day, Region Walpool and Karie Pope. Singer Katy Pitts accompanied herself on electric guitar. Singer Victoria Gaston was accompanied by guitarist-singer Elizabeth O'Neal.
Original compositions were presented by Region Walpool ("I Never Knew") and Katy Pitts ("Compatibility").
Monologues were performed by Emily Hamann and by Kenda Copeland.
The stage backdrop for the show, called Friday Night Live! was produced by Ginger Marks with the aid of, as she said, "at least 40 students."
The Informal Art Exhibit featured work by Ashley Anderson, Isabelle Vea, Mojdeh Efatian, Georgia Buckley, Erica Sanders and Jessica Stevens.
Producing concession sales and advance ticket sales were parents Mattie Collins, Denise Durci, Donna Bishop, Marie Kalmbach (she and husband Bill Kalmbach also provided pre-show pizza for the cast), Lydia McClanahan and Barbara Meyers.
Magnet is a performing arts school. Thus the Freshman Talent Show, a rarity at other schools (we don't know of any in the region), is an important outlet for student expression. The team building spirit is also a theme, as is the idea of original and live performances presented in a culture that is veering toward passive entertainment.
One final thanks: to the enthusiastic and well-behaved audience. And to teacher Ms Carrie Anderson, who gave bonus points to sophomores who attended the show.
Additionally, a videotape of the show was produced by Marion Marks, husband to Ginger Marks, and a media professional. He will produce dvd's as ordered by $10 per dvd donation. Please see teachers Robert Trudeau or Ginger Marks with checks written to Caddo Magnet High.
Behind a successful show is a supportive school staff. Thanks go to principal Mary Rounds, to assistant principals Bryan Gallant, Sheryl Thomas and Queen Snyder and to teachers Patti Reeves, Keith Thomas, Carol Awalt, Carrie Anderson and Neill Normand. Also: substitute David Sherman.
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