As I sit down to write, it's the night before our first workshop at SFHS. (Okay, so perhaps it isn't quite showtime for the kids yet, but it is for us teachers!) I'm feeling pretty excited and a little nervous about this program. Though I've been working with The Unusual Suspects for over three years now, this marks my directing debut with the organization. The last show I directed was a musical I'd written back in my college days, and I literally didn't sleep for a good month and a half straight... Let's just hope that's not part of my directorial style.
I am thrilled to see what the participants bring to the plate for this production. I was privileged enough to be a part of the playwriting program in the fall, where the students at San Fernando wrote the one-act which they will now perform this spring. The play is called Chasing Dreams and Casting Shadows. It's an intense journey with psychological-thriller undertones about an aspiring musician trying to make her dream come true in New York City. It's one of the best plays ever written in my experience thus far with The Unusual Suspects. As such, I'm really feeling the pressure to make sure I do the writing justice and make the right directorial choices. I'm just happy I've got such a good team supporting me. Xavi and Maya, along with our frequent workshop visitors Melissa and Jennifer, are going to be great. (NOTE: We could still use lots of helping hands, so please contact the office if you're interested in volunteering!)
Before every Unusual Suspects program, the teaching artists get together with Program Director Melissa Denton and Program Manager Jennifer Fukutomi for a pre-planning meeting. During this meeting, we discuss the artists' strengths, talk about the site where we'll be working, and develop a plan-of-attack on how the weeks are going to unfold. I've worked with Xavi and Jennifer before, so I already knew how fantastic they both are.
Xavi is a spoken-word artist, and he currently has a popular Ford commercial airing on TV and the radio. Xavi and I taught together over the summer during our last performance program at San Fernando High School, Reaching the Exit, and the kids adore him. (He was even mistaken for a student on more than one occasion.)
Maya is an actor and dancer, and she and I last worked together at Narbonne High School two summers ago for the first-ever youth-written Unusual Suspects musical, Life on the Offbeat. She volunteered hours of her time to help the students choreograph an amazing dance number. Maya rocks, and I can't wait to see what she can help accomplish with her movement skills on this show.
As for Melissa and Jennifer... What can I say? I adore them both. Melissa is my go-to gal. She and I worked closely together for a couple years when I was working in the office 2008-09. Melissa is an amazing improviser, always keeping you on your toes. Jennifer is a gem. She came on board last year, and I've got to say on behalf of all the teaching artists that we're lucky to have her. Jennifer always brings her positive attitude and encouraging words to every workshop.
So there you have it - the Dream Team! Of course, the real magic that happens comes from the participants. As teachers, we merely guide the students along.
In the last two programs I've taught at SFHS, I have noticed a remarkably creative and innovative spirit shared by many of the kids in our program. It's especially impressive when you consider that San Fernando High School has a drop-out rate of over 50%. It's hard to imagine what hardships many of these students face on a day-to-day basis. Those who have joined our program have shown an astounding resiliency of spirit. By coming to The Unusual Suspects after school, they have a forum where they can express and hone their artistic talents, and our participants have proven their commitment to do just that. Without their drive and passion, Chasing Dreams and Casting Shadows could not have become what it is. As I said before, it is truly a phenomenal play, and I trust that we will have phenomenal actors who are going to bring it to life.
I hope, as we teaching artists continue to share our process with you over the next eleven weeks, you'll get a little behind-the-scenes peek at what is sure to be an incredible show.
Signing off for now,
Adam Kalesperis
