When the Curtain Opens

by Angela Sanford

As someone whose body temperature tends to run on the cold side, I haven't been particularly fond of the temperatures we've experienced lately. So, on the afternoon of the last Friday in May, I found myself contemplating how to spend the weekend, since the Weather Network forecast suggested that outdoor activities might not be the best option.

Then I remembered that the REC’s Drama Group's production of Shrek Jr. was underway. A quick call to my arts-and-culture partner, Mum, and we decided to spend Saturday afternoon taking in the musical.

The production was thoroughly enjoyable and, perhaps most impressively, it was truly a production by the students. From the performers on stage to the work happening behind the scenes, the students carried the show with enthusiasm, talent, and confidence.

The entire cast delivered a memorable performance that had the audience laughing throughout the afternoon, but the standout performances were from Malachi Sponacle as the lovable Donkey and Maddie Monroe Koppers as the delightfully over-the-top Lord Farquaad. Their energy, timing, and commitment to their characters helped bring the familiar story to life in a way that felt fresh and entertaining.

What struck me most was not simply the quality of their performances, but the dedication they showed beyond the stage itself. Following the production, audience members were invited to a meet-and-greet in the foyer. Even then, Maddie remained firmly in character, extending the magic of the show and creating an experience that was clearly enjoyed by the younger audience members in attendance.

What made the afternoon especially interesting was that it came on the heels of a conversation I had while driving to Milford. During the trip, my mother was attempting to convince me that, upon retirement, I should consider directing a community drama group. It is a role I have not held in more than twelve years and, if I'm being truthful, one I had not given much serious thought to revisiting.

Yet, as I watched these young people perform, I found myself feeling a renewed appreciation for what theatre can bring to a community. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and confidence on stage stirred memories of productions past and, a reintroduced appeal to see opportunities like this continue to develop in our own area.

Then came a second sign of sorts later in the week.

A former student and drama club participant surprised me with a thoughtful gift: a simple postcard that served as a reminder of our trip to Edinburgh in 2010, when we had the privilege of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Along with the postcard came some very kind words that allowed me to step back in time, if only briefly, and reflect on what was undoubtedly one of the most ambitious and rewarding projects of my career.

The gift reminded me that theatre is about much more than performances. It is about the friendships formed, the confidence built, the memories created, and the experiences that stay with people long after the curtain closes.

Am I ready to rush out and resurrect my former role as a drama director? Not quite. At the moment, a quiet slide into retirement still sounds fairly appealing.

But after an afternoon spent watching talented young performers bring a story to life, followed by an unexpected reminder of a remarkable chapter from my own past, I will admit that the idea has become food for thought. It has earned a place on the growing list of possibilities that make up the ever-evolving question: what's next?