On the train to Hadestown!

clmsoprano7
Jul 9
3 min read

Of the many hats I do wear, this one is truly dear to my heart. This week at Stand Performing Arts in Keller, we started a teen musical intensive (much like I have done the past 6 years) in different theaters.

If you don’t know, an “intensive” is where we take an auditioned group of kids age 13-18 and learn, build, rehearse a show to be performance ready in either 2 or 3 weeks Monday-Friday 9a-4p.

The third week is all about tech rehearsals so the show is “ready” from a music, blocking and choreo standpoint by the end of week 2.

The last few intensives I have done have had 35-44 kids! This one is the 44. And let me tell you, it IS intense!

I am the music director for Hadestown Teen Edition (which is virtually the same as the full musical in length).

I teach and work the music for the first 2 hours of the day and then they will have a “breakout” session with an industry pro and then have lunch. The afternoon is for choreo and blocking. When students are not involved in active blocking, I work more music as I get the chance.

The idea is to have the entire show blocked and “sung in” by Wed or Thur of week 2 so that we can begin cleaning and fine tuning everything.

These young artists are a fantastically talented and focused cast. They are learning and creating at the same time and it is stunning to watch them blossom under the leadership.

Some of the past intensives I have music directed have been Newsies, Anastasia, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief,

and directed Into the Woods Jr., Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast Jr, and Willy Wonka kids.

I remember thinking on day one of my first intensive how in the world we were going to accomplish all we had to in 2 weeks! I will tell you it takes a FULL team from Production Creative team to staff parents and non parent staff.

The thing that touches me most: The young artists. Some I have had consistently in shows since 2021 and they have grown up and grown as artists right in front of my eyes. This is FUEL for my soul. Knowing that you played a small part in the metamorphosis of a young person is a powerful feeling.

Here are some memories I found from some of those productions. There are a few pics of “then and now.”

Why do I do this?

So many reasons. As an adult, I get to play all day with these incredible young artists. That’s what we do in theater, we play. I also have the honor of pouring into their lives from my vast experience as a professional performer even if just for a few weeks. The joy becomes even greater when the same artists a year older come again and with greater confidence and artistry.

I get to help and watch as kids turn from deeply internal to approachable and losing their inhibitions on stage AND off.

Theater is INVALUABLE. Theater IS the thing. I knew because of what theater did for me (confidence, joy, collaboration skills, emotional balancing, communication skills and the ability to PLAY) that I wanted to ensure that young people had the opportunity to take part in something great. It is never just about a SHOW (though I LOVE the shows we have done!)

It is about friendships, connection and community, which inevitably just about every musical or play tells a story about.