For the past few weeks, a Christmas storm has blown through the theater department as they rehearse for their upcoming show, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” For the first time, the play will feature teachers’ children. Senior Zoe Navarte took on the role of stage manager, overseeing the process.
“We’ve been working a lot with incorporating more people from Legacy and our community,” Navarte said. “[Our theater director] also thought that teachers getting involved would help people know about our department.”
The director contacted all teachers and posted in the Bronco Bulletin, inviting their children to perform in the play.
“The biggest thing was making them feel comfortable with it,” Navarte said. “We only have four or five kids and a lot of high school students, so we focused a lot on playing games with them so they could feel okay with singing in front of people and things like that.”
The children play angels and sing in front of the choir during the play. Parents received the music to help their children learn the songs at home.
“Our kids were really good about it,” Navarte said. “A lot of them actually came back and knew everything before some of the actors did, so I gave them candy for that.”
The children have the option to attend rehearsals as many times as they want to and as their schedule allows, even if they aren’t needed.
“We figured the more time that they’re with us and in the show, they’re getting used to it more,” Navarte said. “Even if they don’t have to be there, it helps.”
During rehearsals, each child is paired with an ensemble member who can hold their hand and help them with anything they need. This makes them more comfortable and makes sure they always have a person to go to.
“As the stage manager, it can be stressful if the actors are less focused on their part,” Navarte said. “They have to talk a lot backstage because they are trying to make the kids feel comfortable, which is good but can be hard sometimes.”
English I teacher Amy Goffinet’s daughter, Annaleigh, is 5 years old. She attends rehearsal about once per week, where her theater buddy stays with her through the rehearsal.
“At first, Annaleigh sat with me for the first part of the rehearsal, but now she is able to be with her high school theater buddy the whole time since she is in a decent amount of the play,” Ms. Goffinet said.
After seeing the line in the Bronco Bulletin, Ms. Goffinet asked her daughter if she would be interested in being a part of the play.
“Annaleigh is really enjoying the experience,” Ms. Goffinet said. “It has been a great way to introduce her to being a part of a production prior to having to pay for acting classes or something along those lines.”
Ms. Goffinet also enjoys sitting in on rehearsals and watching students work on the production.
“The high school students are also so talented that I have really enjoyed seeing some of my students who may be a little more reserved in the classroom setting really shine on stage,” Ms. Goffinet said. “Overall, it has been a really great experience.”
The performances will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 11-13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Legacy Performing Arts Center.
“I think that overall it’s going to add a really wholesome piece to our show and make it even better,” Navarte said.
