There is much anticipation and excitement building up to the moment curtains open on our production of Disney’s High School Musical! We will be transported to East High where the unfolding Wildcat drama will pull us into novel romance, basketball state championship dreams, and theatrical discoveries of newfound talents. The narrative and musical score bring to center stage a clear tension between keeping the status quo of staying isolated in our own cliques or breaking out into something new where we are all in it together. We will see jocks, book worms, dancers, and theater kids stepping out of their separate camps to come together. What a timely reflection to help make sense of our own experiences of that same tension!
As a first-timer to the Redeemer play, I have to say that the process of bringing this play to life has been a bit of a living example of us “all being in this together.” Throughout these months of preparation, there has been a consistent wave of participation from our broader community. Our young people, from just a few months old to a senior in high school, have been bonding over these long days and nights of learning their lines, harmonizing their songs, and synchronizing their dance moves. Our director, choreographer, and musical lead have been patiently coaching them along. A former director and her granddaughter, a recent RYG graduate, have been measuring, sizing, and outfitting costumes for our actors and actresses. RYG parents have been keeping us well fed. They have also been sawing, painting, and constructing a full set to compliment the play. Other volunteers have been warming up the lighting, testing the sound and microphones, and ensuring top quality communications backstage. This play has truly involved the participation of an entire village. And when you join us for the evening shows on the 28th or 1st or the afternoon show on the 2nd, I hope that you will see, hear, and experience what happens when we all get our head in the game and join in to create something awesome together.
Josh
Chaplain to Youth & Young Adults