Theatre Program Performs for Live Audience

THEATRE PROGRAM BRINGS HUMOR, AND PEOPLE, TO CAMPUS!

R-MA’s Theatre Director, Valerie Bijur Carlson, came into the school year knowing the challenges posed by COVID would impact her ability to put on large theatre performances with her students. Nonetheless, this did not distract from her mission to ensure the theatre program was able to host in-person events for the R-MA community to enjoy.

The first step: ask students to create a wishlist of ideas. Mrs. Carlson shared, “They really wanted an atmosphere in the theatre program that would feel like a family working towards a common goal.” The perfect play came to Mrs. Carlson that would encapsulate the main components of sharing a connection with the audience while maintaining a jovial family atmosphere - an adaptation of The Servant of Two Masters.

Written in 1746 by Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni, the play features large sections purposefully left open for improvisation. Mrs. Carlson explained, “It’s a play that’s constantly breaking the 4th wall. It’s a comedy with a big ensemble, and it allows us to make a big spectacle on stage. It was everything the kids wanted!”

The cast consisted of twenty students ranging from seniors all the way to sixth graders. Speaking to the involvement of some of the youngest students on campus, Mrs. Carlson shared, “We opened [the play] to the middle school so a bond could be created between the lower and upper school. We love when all students on campus can bond and create relationships with one another.”

As with almost all things at R-MA, the entire community was involved to help others achieve their goals. Students were involved with designing all of the costumes, managing the various aspects of building sets, and not to mention they did all of the acting.

The groundwork for the production was successfully laid, but the next question facing the theatre program as a whole was whether or not there would be a live audience. To everyone’s joy and excitement, the answer was yes! R-MA’s commitment to safety and wellness protocols made it possible to gather together in larger public settings.

This tremendous accomplishment was made sweeter when it was announced that parents would be able to attend in person.

The impact this event had on the community as a whole was accentuated by Yellow Jackets Drill Team Coach and R-MA parent, TSgt Tina Laing, who shared that, “This is the first event that has really felt normal this year.”

General Wesley shared his praise for everyone involved with bringing The Servant of Two Masters to fruition:

“To the incomparable cast and crew of The Servant of Two Masters: I congratulate each of you on the completion of the hard work required to deliver this performance! I marvel at this transformation each year, as you and your classmates prepare for and then deliver a performance...each of you are growing up in a wonderful and powerful way, thanks to the courage you have shown in working together toward this production. Well done!”