Wrap Up

Grease was a huge success last week due in no small part to all the help and support we received from family and friends.  So thank you, thank you to all who participated in some way. We had volunteers on props, costumes, scenery, practices, drivers, food, and donations. Every single item used in the play was borrowed from someone else so we now need to sort thru all these items and return them to their rightful owners.  If we borrowed a prop from you and have not returned it yet, it can probably be found on a table in the gym, or can also probably be tracked down.  There are several items we borrowed from Rumney School (Pink Ladies jackets and cheerleader outfits) that have not been returned from students yet and must be so they can be returned ASAP.  Please let Cat know if anything has been damaged and if possible, we'll get it fixed or replaced.

We're thinking now about next year and how best to ensure that we can enjoy the same successes we had this year in the future.  As many of you know, Drama Club is still a fledgling endeavor.  We are not covered by school funding, Community Connections, nor the Calais Recreation Association and participation is entirely free to all children.  So far, things have worked because we've had donations of time, costumes, and props from families.  But there are many things (copyright fees, paint, scripts, music) that flat out cost money.  This money has been collected so far from a small donation from the PTNO and our direction staff (Cat, Sage, Eileen, Lisa and Laura).  We are looking for help for next year.  Do you know anyone willing to be a "Patron Saint of Calais Arts"?  A producer for our shows?  A grant writer?  We could use all kinds of assistance from small donations per show to larger donations that would cover the purchase of a wireless microphone system and lighting.  Any thoughts generated would be welcomed as our goal is to offer this program free to all children.  Please e-mail your ideas to Cat Fair at Catsgarden@aol.com

Finally, I would like to say how proud we are of all the kids who participated in Grease (and The Wizard of Oz, and the Variety Show) this year.  At the beginning of these productions we get a large group of kids who do not seem to fit together nor do they see themselves as performers.  By performance time we have a close knit group of friends that have worked hard to become a team of dynamic entertainers!  I truly believe that kids who learn to take risks outside of their comfort zones become stronger, more resilient, and ultimately more successful in life.  Many have asked this week, "Why do you do Drama Club?"  Because with these kids, we play, we sing......, and we dance.

Cat, Sage, Eileen, Laura, and Lisa