The Drowsy Chaperone

I started a new adventure this year.  I began choreographing for another high school.  I started with Stansbury High School on the musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, back in November and we finally closed on it this last week. This was a rather unusual experience for me as far as working on a high school musical goes.  I actually really, really enjoyed myself.  That is not to say that I haven't enjoyed myself on all of the other shows I have done, but this one brought with it a different sense of enjoyment and accomplishment.

My experience with High School musicals is becoming rather extensive.  I have been doing the choreography for these kinds of shows for 10 years now and have now worked at 3 different schools.  Usually I enjoy working with the kids and the director, but end up feeling frustrated in some aspect with the director or the kids lack of work ethic.  Or, we end up with a show that while I had fun working on and am proud of my choreography, I know the show is lacking on a whole.  That was not the case with this show.  Mr. Carpenter, the director, and I get along fabulously.  He not only let me drag along my kids to all rehearsals, he helped to entertain and watch them while I worked.  Baby Kat grew especially fond of him.

I also got along with the kids very well and was impressed at most of their dedication to this show.  We ended up with a musical that I was very proud to have people come watch and see.  While it was maybe not my best work (the show doesn't call for really big, impressive dance numbers) on a whole the show is probably the best high school show I have ever been a part of.  And it is a good thing too, because we were able to showcase it at UTA (Utah Theatre Association).

That was another new thing for me...showing my work to so many people who had "expertise" in theatre.  It was fun to see people's reaction and to know that the hard work we had all put in had been appreciated.

This is one of those shows that you are really sad to see go.  As always, I am happy for the break and to be able to be home more now, especially since I have been working on musicals since September.  I really did feel a little misty eyed at the closing of this show.  I am proud of it and really enjoyed myself doing it.

Here is just a snapshot of one of the biggest numbers in the show.  Farewell "Drowsy Chaperone."  You will always be thought of fondly.