Tuesday, Aug. 03, 2010
Performance night
John Beaudoin, Journal Publisher
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At long last, performance night had arrived.
For five months or so, 20-25 William Chrisman graduates had planned, plotted, fretted and sweated over putting on a 20th anniversary performance for our former theater teacher, Mrs. Kimberly Hayes.
Hayes, an inspiration to many of us, was my theater teacher in high school. After one semester of stagecraft class my sophomore year – 1990 and Mrs. Hayes’ first year teaching at Chrisman – I was hooked. She didn’t make theater difficult. She didn’t make it intimidating.
In fact, performing, creating and entertaining all became real and possible with Mrs. Hayes.
My experience is not unique, which is why another one of her former students, Allissa Hughes, decided it was about time to say thanks, and what better time than the occasion of her 20th year of teaching.
Earlier this year, I began to be summoned to meetings about a performance for our old teacher. It was quite an interesting dynamic – basically 20 years worth of graduates, young and old and all types of personalities – were going to somehow write, direct and pull off an evening performance in honor of Hayes.
I would be completely lying if I didn’t say I was skeptical from the beginning.
But the meetings, for better or worse, continued. Performances began to take shape. Discussions on a date, a time and even a name – The Evolution of Hayes – began to solidify.
All of the sudden, this seemed real.
My job wasn’t too difficult. As the emcee of the event, I felt a duty to keep the crowd entertained. As the oldest person in the group, I felt the need to try and keep the diverse and, sometimes distracted group, on track. I suppose this was a good precursor to being a dad.
Since my background in theater comes from backstage, I had no problem not being cast in any of the individual routines. In fact, I fought off a movement to include me in the ‘Telephone Hour’ skit from “Bye, Bye Birdie.” Believe me, no one wants to hear me sing.
Despite a setback the morning of the performance, our night to honor our theater teacher had finally arrived.
For the most part, it was perfect. Sure, there were a few missed cues and a few curtain malfunctions, but, thankfully, we had rehearsed enough and meticulously put in hours upon hours of time in the name of honoring our former theater teacher – and someone, as adults, that we can now call a friend.
Surprising Mrs. Hayes on Saturday night at our old high school made all the time and effort more than worth it.
And it reminded me why I continue to enjoy and appreciate the performing arts. Like many things in my life, it all started with teacher who cared.
John Beaudoin is publisher of the Blue Springs Journal. To respond to today’s commentary, call 816-282-7001 or e-mail jbeaudoin@bluespringsjournal.com.
