I don’t know if you took the time to see Carbon Highs musical rendition of Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat – if you didn’t, you missed out. Period.
If you did, then you experienced first hand the meaning behind the quote, “It takes a community to raise a child.”
First of all, who in their right mind sits around dreaming about spending countless hours practicing and rehearsing with 85 kids under the age of 18? And what kind of people does it take to sacrifice their own lifestyle to join such a high risk venture of pulling off a high school musical?
I’m talking about the hundreds of hours volunteers offered up for the good of the community. These are volunteers who can visualize the good of not only the process, but of the end result. They have the vision to push through the tedious practice schedule knowing that what transpires at the finish line will be worth it.
If you haven’t been in a big musical production, then it is hard to understand the hours and hours needed for practicing. Not only practicing lines until they are memorized, but practicing singing, projecting, staging, dancing, walking and acting.
The process is tedious and long as volunteers work with a conglomeration of youth where some absolutely get it while others struggle with walking and chewing gum at the same time and now we are mixing in singing in the process.
And when it is all said and done, it takes volunteers who see the finish line – who see the personal satisfaction that comes from doing a job well after being pushed past your self imposed limits.
They see the camaraderie that comes as people draw close together as they strive for personal bests while performing as a team. They become more empathetic with those around them seeing some struggle and in need of help. They also learn to respect and revere talent. They learn that there will always be someone better and that is okay. They learn that these people should be celebrated.
During this thanksgiving season I propose that we not forget that with every high school musical, or dance program, arts event or any other sport or activity that demands hard work and personal improvement from the participants – good, dedicated volunteers are needed. And even though we sometimes forget to say thank you, your labors are very much appreciated.
In coming back to Carbon and Emery County, I have been reminded in a very short period of time just how willing and giving we are here. Volunteers are everywhere. There are so many people involved with serving their neighbors and friends as well as strangers passing through.
As I sat through this performance of some very talented and hard working youth on Monday night, I was overwhelmed with the audience – a full house – and their enthusiastic support of our youth.
I was in awe of just how well the show came off and I could tell these youth would remember this experience for a very long time. They had started out the show very immature and inexperienced and they progressed until they pulled off a very professional production. One worthy of the standing ovation that they received.
I hope they feel successful. I hope they learned that they can do hard things with a lot of practice. I hope they can feel comfortable with their level of performance while recognizing that it is wonderful belonging to a team with a common goal.
What a place to learn some very important life lessons.
And I thank the volunteers who provided the learning experience. It truly does take a community to raise kids and this is a great example of just how great our community is.
Musical production a testament of volunteer success
Members of the high school musical cast of Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat celebrated their performance and honored the many volunteers needed to pull off such a production. Volunteers are a driving factor in the success of youth in our communities and it was demonstrated with this performance.