When I was in High School, the Drama and Music Departments presented "My Fair Lady." The music in that show is fantastic! I actually enjoyed bantering daily with my Biology teacher who loved that show and knew that I was in the cast. He couldn't resist quoting the songs during class. He wasn't much of a singer (but then, neither was Rex Harrison), so he felt perfectly at ease "singing" his version of "I'm an Ordinary Man" in class. (I digress, let me get back on track.) This show is great --- except for one thing: It really is a cast comprised of just a few LEAD characters. The Ensemble (those singer/dancer/actors in lesser roles) really only appear for a few numbers during that extremely LONG show. Most of the time, we played card games and ate snacks back stage. It was a test of endurance for us --- for staying engaged because we were SO BORED! All in all, "My Fair Lady" was not a the best choice for our High School. It would have been nice to be in a show that gave everybody more to do.
This was a pivotal moment in my education. I vowed if I ever was in a position to choose a show for my school, I would be aware of what the cast at large would be doing for the duration. I vowed to choose vehicles that kept everyone engaged and busy throughout.
This was a pivotal moment in my education. I vowed if I ever was in a position to choose a show for my school, I would be aware of what the cast at large would be doing for the duration. I vowed to choose vehicles that kept everyone engaged and busy throughout.
Waiting backstage for entrance Let's face it, people appreciate getting validation for their hard work. At the end of a production, I enjoy reading thank you notes and emails. A simple sincere note carries a lot of weight for me. The following are examples of thank you notes that let me know that my efforts at writing Musical Theater Shows for Children have accomplished one goal in particular. That goal was to disguise the fact of an obvious STAR, or a role that the entire show revolves around. I intended to create many featured roles and create an ensemble of supporting characters that was busy throughout the entire show. I needed the vehicles to showcase the emerging talents of many kids, sometimes 50+. How wonderful that this was apparent to many in the audiences.
Same kids, same show, different characters. "I loved that each child had their moment to shine...there wasn't one obvious star. They were really singing, instead of singing along to prerecorded orchestra and vocal tracks. And it taught a great moral."
"I enjoyed this show because so many different children got featured parts. It was so professional!"
"We heard about the recent musical at our children's school. Our children had not been cast, so we did not see it. But we heard that it had a very small cast because the script did not have enough parts. We really appreciate how your shows are so right for kids this age. There are meaningful parts for so many kids and everyone is busy for the entire show. No one can tell if there is a main starring role because there are so many featured parts. Our family loves being part of such wonderful productions!"
Come to find out, during my years of working in Children's Theater companies and teaching school, I found very few vehicles that fit the bill that also fit my non-existent budget. That's when I started writing shows. It is gratifying to know that my efforts have been appreciated.
"I enjoyed this show because so many different children got featured parts. It was so professional!"
"We heard about the recent musical at our children's school. Our children had not been cast, so we did not see it. But we heard that it had a very small cast because the script did not have enough parts. We really appreciate how your shows are so right for kids this age. There are meaningful parts for so many kids and everyone is busy for the entire show. No one can tell if there is a main starring role because there are so many featured parts. Our family loves being part of such wonderful productions!"
Come to find out, during my years of working in Children's Theater companies and teaching school, I found very few vehicles that fit the bill that also fit my non-existent budget. That's when I started writing shows. It is gratifying to know that my efforts have been appreciated.
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The photos above are from the Summer Theater Camp production of The Adventures of Dick Whittington. These children played many characters including Village Children and the sneaky Mice and the marvelous Cat.
The photos above are from the Summer Theater Camp production of The Adventures of Dick Whittington. These children played many characters including Village Children and the sneaky Mice and the marvelous Cat.
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