Open Rehearsal: The Court Theatre Blog
September 29, 2011
267 students in 267 seats
Yesterday was Court Theatre’s first high school matinee of the season. We had seven schools in attendance and no less than 267 students packed into our humble, 267-seat theater. I’m not normally this unbridled in my enthusiasm, but I have to say: it basically rocked. It was one of those times when you are reminded why you actually chose to work in the arts in the first place.
Allow me to give you some context so you can understand just how awesome this matinee was. First of all, I only saw one student texting the whole time. One! That fact alone is basically a miracle in and of itself. When was the last time you think any of those students went more than one waking hour without texting? Behold the power of theater, my friends. I stood through the performance in the back of the house so I could watch the students’ reactions to the piece. I almost couldn’t believe it, but they were actually leaning in they were so engaged with the material. Amazing. Of course, it was a little rowdier than our more “mature” audiences, but in my opinion, a student shouting out “Girl, you can sing!” to Alexis Rogers in the opening number or “Serves him right!” when Sykes gets his just rewards isn’t a disruption, but a testament to the work we’re doing. What a wonderful thing to provoke such strong reactions. Wouldn’t it be great if all our audiences were so thrilled, terrified, and moved by the theater we produce? I think so. Actually, I’m all about it.
Seriously, yesterday was a blast.
Director of Education Cree Rankin gives a curtain speech to the students before the show begins.
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