Killeen ISD kids rock the house
Posted On: Friday, Jul. 3 2009 05:30 AM
By Rebecca Hertz
Killeen Daily HeraldBackstage is a flurry of activity and nervous energy as about 45 children prepare for their final performance with sound and lighting checks, last-minute warm-ups and prop preparations.
But at 6:30 p.m., the chaos subsides as the group is hustled into the "green room." The curtain goes down, the house lights come up, and the audience drifts into their seats.
In the summer tradition of the Killeen Independent School District elementary district-wide theater production, students presented four performances of "Schoolhouse Rock Live! Junior" on Wednesday and Thursday.
Student performers ranged from those who have completed first grade to those who have completed eighth grade.
The quick-paced, high-energy production runs about 45 minutes. There are 11 dance numbers with brief dialogue in between them.
"The script includes all the best songs from 'Schoolhouse Rock,'" said Deb Carney, assistant music director. "My favorites were 'Conjunction Junction' and 'Bill.'"
The show is an adaptation of the Saturday morning animated program that aired on ABC television in the mid-1970s. Each episode consisted of four vignettes that taught children about government, history, grammar, science and math. The stage script is part of "The Broadway Junior Collection."
"Most of our parents grew up watching 'Schoolhouse Rock' and are enjoying this as much as the kids are," said Sheila Donahue, director of fine arts for KISD.
The show offers great curricular connects, she said. She looks for opportunities to link enrichment curriculum to foundation curriculum.
The production was directed by Jamie Seel, theater instructor at Union Grove Middle School.
"It's a pretty large cast and we had to meet the challenge of so many kids on stage and how we could best use their abilities," Seel said.
The children rehearsed the entire month of June in preparation for their performance. For many, it was their first theatrical experience, but they all learned something new and made new friends.
"My favorite part is the ending 'Interjections,'" said Kacey Davidson, who plays Shulie. "I will do this again next year."
Contact Rebecca Hertz at
rhertz@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7475.