Off Broadway 2011

So.... Off Broadway 2011 is well underway. Music is started, big auditions are happening, dancer auditions have concluded. Today, it's narrator auditions, and more lunch time auditions.

While last year it was hard to get inspiration for the show, this year, inspiration is coming easily. We are doing Off Broadway - The Happiest Show on Earth. (Disney themed... can't you tell?)

I'm doing alot more planning this year, all the music - as usual, and way less choreography. We have brought in a staff choreographer to do most of the new numbers that are not repeats from four years ago. Additionally, I have some really talented student choreographers on board. I have a student assistant, a TA, and probably the most organized choir councils I've ever had at WCHS. So - I've got lots of team support, getting this show on, while being pregnant.

I do miss the choreography. Actually I REALLY miss doing the choreography. But, being pregnant, I can't do everything, and certainly that is way more physical than I have the stamina for. I'm doing small bits, but nothing large scale. I am so thankful for my colleague who is stepping up to do the choreography. It is good and will certainly add to what we've been adding to the show over the years. It is a HUGE blessing to have her, and that the admin approved the extra cost of bringing her on board for this project.

Yesterday a different colleague of mine came into my class to borrow my tv/dvd player and couldn't stop talking about OB.... that it was one of his favorite events, and that he wouldn't think of missing it. That was such an encouragement to me.

Off Broadway is a beast - and it's a growing beast. It gets bigger each year. I've tried hard this year to keep a tight reign on the growth, and to scale back in areas that won't effect the overall show quality, length or presentation. However - that's not as easy as it looks 0r sounds.

This show stresses me out. It's so much work, energy and time (even when not pregnant!). I love doing this show. It is one of my favorite things about my job, but it is ALOT of work, and it is taking much more planning this year. I am having to prep things much earlier, and have back up plans. I am just praying that nothing happens weird in the pregnancy to me or to Jane so that I can get through the shows without having to deal with health/pregnancy complications. We have back up plans in place in case, but that certainly would mess up alot, and would be tough on the volunteers, crew and mostly on the students (particularly the 15 seniors that I have this year).

Auditions are tough this year. I have 40 groups and solos auditioning for 15-18 spots in the show. This is the most I've ever seen in my 6 years at WCHS. I'm so happy to have more choices, but it is hard. I've been brutally honest with the students telling them that there will be disappointment this year, and people will not get in everything they audition for. I also feel like there are less choir song solos in the music this year. This may just be a perception thing on my part, but it does seem like there are significantly less spots. Maybe it feels that way because I am consciously trying to split things up and not have a show that only features a few students. It sure is hard. And it is always tough because I know so many students will want to be disappointed.

This year, I have seen more non-choir students audition for Off Broadway than ever before as well. It always makes for interesting reactions from the choir students. We will see what happens. Have not finished casting the show, and won't until Friday, but I am doing a big chunk of it tonight. Please pray that I would be fair, and gracious, and that I would pick the right groups and soloists.

Well.... on with the show!