Sharing a letter from Kenneth Young, Parent, Class of 2014, following this weekend’s performances:
“I cannot begin to express the pleasure that Irene and I experienced at the chorus this past Friday. Each student completed their solo to thundering applause following them off stage. These students were not singing something old and dusty. They were singing the songs of their generation. Songs that have touched their hearts and given meaning to the complexities of being a teenager in the 21st Century. They were showing us art. Their inner thoughts–joy and sadness–and it was beautiful. Then to cap the solos came a fabulous chorus of voices, as Sheri led them as a group. It was a wonderful experience for every parent who hopes for the best in their child to be brought forward, and doubly wonderful for those of us graced by seeing our children perform. To bring these young adults to a point where they will sing solo on stage for the first time is a huge achievement for them, and shows me how well the school has encouraged and tapped into each individual’s potential. It was Sheri’s talent and leadership that brought it all forth, but behind the curtain sits every teacher, every outing, every combined experience that is a part of preparing these young adults for life.
“Then came “Audience.” “Audience” is a tough little play intended to make the audience squirm and relive it’s fidgety behavior. It is the playwright watching nervously from the wings while we arrive late with popcorn and seating complaints. It is a tight social satire with both the painfulness and hilarity of our behavior. It makes us aware that we, too, are an integral part of the show. The students were amazing, Beth is brilliant, and I’m in awe.
“We do our best as parents. We succeed and we fail, and we grow up alongside our kids, herding, encouraging, opening windows, and praying that our efforts will give them a good life. It is exceptional that my child is in a school where those efforts are picked up, rattled a bit, and made use of gladly, allowing her to become ready. For this I am thankful to you all.
Kenneth”