“Have I told you, I love my job” another teacher whispered to me as we watched  Chiana Lee get up on stage and give the “Director’s Welcoming” at the Thursday 11/16 performance of The Outsiders. This statement really made me stop and think–and you know what I had to agree. I do love my job.

At a time of year when usually all you hear is the complaining of “When will Christmas Break” get here, I took the time to reflect on my experiences working with the students during The Outsiders. I feel so fortunate that I get to be employed using both of my college degrees. During the morning, I am the Librarian–able to use my Master’s degree and share my love of stories and the written work. After school, I am the Costume, Hair & Make Up Designer –sharing my love of clothing and design (the reason I went to college–BA in Theatre Arts).

I love roaming the Theatre as the show gets ready to go, seeing our students putting into practice what they have learned in the classroom and through observation.

New to Make-Up Crew. Wriley and Alex observe Malena and Nadya applying their make up.

Ted joined us as a “newbie” in High School Musical–now he is on his 3rd show.

It is especially wonderful when students jump out of their comfort zones and try something new–such as the baseball players who took part in The Outsiders. One student’s mom, told me more than once how much her son loves Company–that now “he comes home smiling”. And now that he has baseball practice and can’t do Company–his mom tell me how much he misses it and how much he wished he could do both.

Joe was recruited for The Outsiders and now he is back for Little Shop.

And isn’t that what we ultimately want? Students who are invested in their learning, that want to be there and give it their all?

Several students like to say they “Live at the Theatre”, but remarkable most have good school/life/theater balance.

Cast & Crew of The Outisders–This is our Company family.

Now with Little Shop on it way–as I move around the theater and work with students building the Audrey II puppets, rehearsing musical numbers and generally having a really good time with each other. I am reminded again–how much I really do love my job.