WISHFUL THINKING From script to stage, CVCC students produce an original musical production. What if your dream came true—but not in
How did this group of students blend their
themes that could work together and create
the way you expected?
ideas into one, cohesive story?
The easy
an intriguing story. This required lots of
answer is hard work. The real answer lies
material and consistent effort on the part of
This is the theme of “Wishful Thinking”,
in the foundation of Nields’ classroom:
the students, who had to show up to every
where one child who wishes to be older
encouragement, inspiration, and teamwork.
class ready to create and re-create.
get exactly what they want: to change their
Developing shows like “Wishful Thinking” is
Making a musical requires more than finding
age. Both characters make whimsical wishes
nothing new to David Nields, who arrived to
good actors and setting the stage. In Nields’
on their birthdays, skipping time and waking
CVCC with over two decades of professional
words, the full process is like “stepping off a
up much older (or younger) than they were
experience in both the music industry and
cliff,” starting with no beginning or ending
before. As these characters cross paths on
higher education. Combining his love for
and asking that students jump head-first into
a musical journey of self-discovery, we are
music and the stage, Nields worked closely
the mess of making a meaningful play. “At
reminded that a wish granted is not always
with Department Head Kim Stinson to
times, you feel like it’s going to be a total
the key to happiness.
establish and build up a new challenge for
disaster,” Nields admits.
and one adult who wishes to be younger
CVCC: Write, compose, and direct a full“Wishful Thinking” ran last Spring (‘23) in
length musical in one semester.
the CVCC Black Box Theatre. It’s the latest
22
But for the born creative, the threat of disaster is a catalyst which drives them to aim
original musical that was written, composed,
As the class got to know each other, they
higher, to think harder, and to turn concepts
and produced by CVCC students and Theatre
were also encouraged to think about
into reality.
instructor David Nields.
different characters and inspiring musical
FA LL 20 23
