Here They Go Again
The choir and performing arts classes pose on the bus on the way to the Beef and Boards production of “Mamma Mia!”
On April 4, performing arts and choir students took the day off school in exchange for a potential learning experience while also enjoying themselves making new memories. Tina Luebbehusen sees this as a learning experience. She has been making this trip to Indy for over 20 years now and as a director of both the fall and spring musicals Luebbehusen knows what to try and take out of the professional shows. “I like to hear the different singing techniques and see acting technique as well as choreography and dance moves. It gives me an idea of different things I can do myself and have kids do,” said Luebbehusen.
This year the performing arts and choir students have performed two plays, “Grease” in the fall and “Rock of Ages” in the spring. Luebbehusen wants to get the kids thinking about their acting skills in the back of their minds also in addition to enjoying themselves. “When they watch other performers, they get an idea of what they need to do when they perform,” said Luebbehusen, “It’s an extension of the activities that we do ourselves.” This particular show was unique in the fashion that “Mamma Mia” was a show that the students of Jasper High School had put on a few years ago. “That was a trip down memory lane in getting to see something down memory lane.” The fact that some of the upperclassmen had a quick detour to that good place called memory lane made the night even more enjoyable. Even if some of the younger students were not involved in that particular production, something like this for those interested in pursuing either professional jobs in musical theatre or even just trying to get better themselves for future productions that might remain in their high school careers is more than just a day away from the normal atmosphere of JHS and the responsibilities of schoolwork. The entire trip is just more than some of the seniors making some final memories with their fellow comrades in theatre. Rather, it was a chance for those continuing on in the years to come within the theatre program to see what professionals do and then try to step up their own acting game, something that can only benefit the individuals within the entire performing arts and choir programs.
Featured Image provided by Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre.
