November 7, 2011
My wife and I attended the matinee of Ken Ludwig's farce Leading Ladies yesterday.
When you are head of a school, there are many occasions when you feel like the proverbial "proud poppa." This was one of those times. If the benefit of a Good Counsel education is found in creating extraordinary opportunities for students to shine, we witnessed a lustrous display on Sunday afternoon. Our student actors were hilariously over the top in presenting a story of two actors, turned con men, turned female impersonators. It was gratifying to see the confidence and skill with which the students performed, and the verbal cleverness and physical comedy that brought to life all the humor of Ludwig's script.
The set featured a lava-lamp chandelier and swirling-colored cushions and curtains that would make your head hurt. The swirling patterned shirts, housecoats, pantsuits, and outrageous dresses (made more outrageous by being worn in drag) were so visually striking that the late 1960's fashion almost seemed cool again. Almost.
What I have learned is that while teacher Mr. Hilary Rinke is the overall director, Ms. Kristina Friedgen is the chief choreographer, and many moms and dads volunteer to make it all work, the play is very much a student-led production. The lighting and sound, the props and costumes—all involve student decision making. All that work, all those moving parts, and all those hours of rehearsal come down to the ability to perform well together. Taking part in a collaborative endeavor on such a scale is educational in a profound way.
On the ride home I remarked to my wife how the excellence we witnessed needs a home on our campus. We are thankful for the generosity of our friends at Sandy Spring Friends School who make their theater available to us. Our future, however, has to be at home in our own performing arts space. I will have more to share on that score soon.
In the meantime, Falcon players, I say: "Bravo!"