I recently attrended the opening night of the Mount Madonna School’s production of “The Ramayana” at the Mexican Heritage Theater in San Jose. This year’s lead role, Rama, was played by my former student Cooper who, over the last two and a half years that I’ve known him, has transformed into quite the talented young man.
Watching this performance transported me to my high school days when I played in the orchestra for our school’s musicals. Knowing the effort and skill it took to produce our musicals gave me perspective on how much energy and support it took to make The Ramayana come to life.
Only this musical was no ordinary high school musical. Performed on a professional stage with high tech lighting and sound, this rivaled any professional experience I’ve ever seen. All the school’s students participate, from the youngest kindergartener to the soon-to-graduate seniors, and each year each student moves up to more prominent and difficult roles. (My own school’s musicals were performed by the drama class the best they could with the resources available, and though they were meager in comparison - we did have fun.)
I’m reflecting on a bike ride to took a few days ago, where I found myself riding around that old high school of mine; reminiscing of my time spent there. There have been many changes on the campus since I went there: a new swimming pool, tennis courts, and a multi-purpose room adjacent to the quad. I rode by the music room where I spent most of my time, the old library, and the old theater room.
As I rode around however, I noticed that the grounds of the school looked absolutely awful. Weeds were everywhere, and the landscaping looked neglected. It was as if the school had been abandoned… except for the new athletic field. These facilities are by far the best one I’ve ever seen at a high school. They’re state of the art football and baseball fields, and it’s obvious that there is tremendous support from alumni for the sports department.
After the intermission, The Ramayana continued with its spectacle: a giant smoke spewing dragon, group dance numbers and the set pieces flying in and out of the fly space above for the elaborate scene changes.
I looked at the school’s website where they speak of the performance:
“We believe that students can learn many important life skills through dramatic performance. They can learn poise and confidence in public speaking, responsible participation in a group endeavor, introspection through character development, and deep understanding of the creative process. All students participate in the drama program.”
My memories of high school were that we were all separated by types: jocks, socs, drama geeks, band geeks, nerds… some occasionally brought together by the football game where the band would perform the half time show, but for the most part, everyone socialized by themselves, alienated and often bullied by those that felt superior. (Even after forty years at my reunion, one former cheerleader perpetuated her classic stereotype by attempting to name-shame the more creative and artistic alumni, and a fellow student who had developed a mental illness. )
As The Ramanaya came to its finale, the energy and support of the audience - both alumni and the general public it has attracted over the years - was incredible. This yearly production was an opportunity where each and every student took part in something together, and each and every part no matter how small was of value to the larger whole. Alumni were cheering, and after the show, the actors came out to the lobby for photos and to greet friends and fans. What an experience for these kids to remember for their lifetimes. What a contrast to what I experienced.
One might argue that this is a private school and therefore has more money to support such extravagance. And it does. But if a public school’s sports department can raise money for a state of the art athletic field, then with support so can a school have a state of the art theater, music program, and computer lab.
And money aside, it doesn’t cost anything to have a vision and to work towards creating an environment where each student has a part in the larger picture.
Imagine cheerleaders creating cheers outside a theater performance to bring people in to the latest production where they would themselves have a part to play - dancing and choreographing numbers with other students of all levels and interests - bringing students together, as the name would imply.
Imagine the stunning light shows created by the visual art students with the help of the computer programs designed by the computer science department.
And perhaps each classroom of any subject collaborating and creating entries for an open mic event - learning to work together creatively rather than competitively.
There are so many opportunities to learn not only the general required academic skills, but also valuable and crucial social skills that would help each student; from the most introverted to the most outgoing; the poorest to the richest; the novice to the most experienced.
As I walked to my car after the show, I reflected on how proud I was of each and every actor on that stage as well as all the parents and benefactors who supported these young students.
I thank you for my renewed inspiration.