the winter musical

The Winter Musical: An Adventure to Remember kaila mank ’21

An adventure is an unusual and exciting experience or activity. However, something not stated in the dictionary that you will not find in any definition is that it is not just about the adventure you experience but also the people you meet, the bonds you make, and the journeys you share.

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown is a musical written by Clark Gesner in 1967 based on the characters from the Charlie Brown cartoons created by Charles Schulz in the 1950s. The cast consists of six main characters: Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Sally, Lucy, Linus, and Schroeder, all roles based on the original characters in the Peanuts comics. The musical has a series of characters and scenes famous to the Charlie Brown comics, featuring scenes and numbers based on those similar to the show.

Starting at the beginning of November though the end of February, day after day, week after week we were helping each other learn lines, putting together studentled dance numbers, and working together to create a show. Despite having six main characters with a few side and ensemble roles, we had over sixty-five people from the Hebron community come together as the cast and crew including the Boys Varsity Basketball Team, the Proctors, faculty members, and many other students. The six main characters consisted of two or more Hebron students to ensure that all that wanted to be involved were.

Before each performance the entire cast would gather on stage behind the curtain and we would start really low and very quiet and get louder and louder, “ahhhhhhhHHHHHHHH” until we were full of energy and ready for the show to begin. Perhaps someone reading this account of our 2020 performance remembers a similar group bonding to get out the pre-performance jitters. Although the energy level of the audience helped, the cast was full of energy and ready to show off all the hard work both nights. An added bit of excitement was the drama program’s history of giving. Every year Hebron Academy’s drama program has a fundraiser for a local group in which we sell pottery made by Hebron’s art classes and ice cream. This year we donated over $800 to The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society!

This year the students became more involved, more hands-on and independent than any year before. The students ran the lights and most sound with the help of our two music teachers, Rebekkah Willey, and James Falconer. We were able to learn how to operate the light board, create cues and design the lighting for the stage as actors were performing during rehearsals, as well as navigating “ My ‘happiness is’ moment is living in the moment wth the people I love around me, not matter where we are or what we are doing. Kaila Mank

how to use wireless microphones on actors for the first time. Students created every single bio, did all the makeup, most of the set pieces, all of the artwork (even down to the pottery being sold). There were breathtaking moments that we all shared whether it was the support we had from fellow peers to the first time someone nailed their song and there was laughter and cheering coming from all sides. It is amazing what can be accomplished by many people working together toward a common goal.

Even though this was a student, hands-on production it was really the teachers we have to thank. Ms. Julie Middleton deserves special recognition for putting together the overall production and getting as many people involved as possible. Mr. Steve Middleton helped take the lead on the set design. Ms. Cynthia Reedy helped take the lead on all costumes and was always there to support each and every actor or actress on the stage. Mr. James Falconer helped us learn the songs and did everything in his power to help us know them as best we could, even laying on the ground for breath support. Last, but certainly not least, Ms. Rebekkah Willey, for everything she has done; putting all the songs together, conducting the pit, handling sounds, making sure rehearsals went on, and much much more. From the entire cast and crew a huge thank you to everyone who helped with the show!

This show, through a long winter term, reminded everyone that if you just think of your “Happiness is” moment, then the world will get a little bit brighter and the sun will rise a little bit higher. This show consisted of many small journeys that led up to an adventure. An adventure that I am happy I took, because I got to know the most amazing people and make unforgettable memories with. Watching the faces light up and twinkle

brewster burns

when the lights hit them is pure amazement. Seeing the faces of the parents and teachers light up as they watch a new side of a person illuminate when they hit the stage; pure amusement.

If you are asked to go on an adventure or are given the opportunity, no matter how big or small, take it because you may never get a chance like it again. The Hebron community came together to support one another, and posed an adventure that we will all remember for the rest of our life. Now I challenge you to think about what your ‘happiness is’ moment is. I encourage you to share it with those around you because by sharing these moments we become a closer community, no matter where you are. n

brewster burns