Before next year’s theatre season is announced, I want to thank everyone for coming here tonight to acknowledge the amazing students we have here at CMS. It truly has been a wonderful evening. To each child who has been a part of JAG/DAC, you are great young people and bring so much joy to this crazy artform. It has been a privilege to call you students, and an honor to have been called your theatre momma.
Now we are at the close of our evening together and it is time for me to do one last task and that is to say goodbye..
Yet, how am I supposed to do that? I could reflect on the three amazing years I’ve had here at CMS, but that would just get long winded. No, instead I’m going to do my best to leave you with one last lesson. A final note session. Do you have your phones ready to take notes? Get them out!
Okay- here it is. It’s as simple as PB&J.
1- P: Your words have power.
Do not speak to simply make noise. Do not talk to cause anyone malicious harm. Instead, use your words carefully and with wisdom. Become someone that when you speak, others stop to listen because they know that what you will say is important.
2- B: Believe in something bigger than yourself.
For some of us, that means having faith in God; for others, it’s the dream. Whatever you choose to believe in, let it be something that motivates you and causes you not only to aspire for your own being- but that it motivates you to look at others and seek out ways to encourage, help, and love on them. You may be wonderfully talented, but remember theatre isn’t only about you- what can you do to help others become better too?
3- J: Never ever let anyone take away your joy.
We have shared joyous moments together in theatre. Whether this art is something you continue to pursue or not (I hope it is), do not let anyone ever take away the moments of exhilaration that you have felt during this experience. You have been a part of something wonderful. And it took a LOT of work to get from point A to point B, but the joy at the end is worth every moment. YOU have been my joy, and I hope that you can look to at least one moment this year, or these past two years, and pinpoint your moments of joy too.
They say, “All good things must come to an end.” But not all endings need be sad, for you see this isn’t the end for you. This is merely the transcendance to something new. Like an episode of Doctor Who when it is time to say farewell to one incarnation of our beloved pilot of the blue box and welcome another. Those of you who know the show, understand what I am talking about when I mention that the fandom goes through a cycle. There is a period of adjustment when we are not too sure if we will like the next incarnation that comes along. For how could they ever replace the one who came before? But that’s the exciting part. They are not replacing anything- they are merely keeping the story alive by adding their own creative elements to the span of adventures. The next pilot, director in your case, gets to steer the course to new adventures and tales.
And as I step into the shadows know this, I will forever remember when your director was me.
I now introduce you to the next director JAG/DAC, who will announce next year’s season. I have complete faith in her stewardship of this endeavor. You students who remain here will be next years theatre leaders, help her, help the newbies and continue the adventures of JAG/DAC. Your new director has wonderful enthusiasm, passion, and drive that will continue to make this a theatre program worthy of investment and time, Miss Angela Gabardi.
Now we are at the close of our evening together and it is time for me to do one last task and that is to say goodbye..
Yet, how am I supposed to do that? I could reflect on the three amazing years I’ve had here at CMS, but that would just get long winded. No, instead I’m going to do my best to leave you with one last lesson. A final note session. Do you have your phones ready to take notes? Get them out!
Okay- here it is. It’s as simple as PB&J.
1- P: Your words have power.
Do not speak to simply make noise. Do not talk to cause anyone malicious harm. Instead, use your words carefully and with wisdom. Become someone that when you speak, others stop to listen because they know that what you will say is important.
2- B: Believe in something bigger than yourself.
For some of us, that means having faith in God; for others, it’s the dream. Whatever you choose to believe in, let it be something that motivates you and causes you not only to aspire for your own being- but that it motivates you to look at others and seek out ways to encourage, help, and love on them. You may be wonderfully talented, but remember theatre isn’t only about you- what can you do to help others become better too?
3- J: Never ever let anyone take away your joy.
We have shared joyous moments together in theatre. Whether this art is something you continue to pursue or not (I hope it is), do not let anyone ever take away the moments of exhilaration that you have felt during this experience. You have been a part of something wonderful. And it took a LOT of work to get from point A to point B, but the joy at the end is worth every moment. YOU have been my joy, and I hope that you can look to at least one moment this year, or these past two years, and pinpoint your moments of joy too.
They say, “All good things must come to an end.” But not all endings need be sad, for you see this isn’t the end for you. This is merely the transcendance to something new. Like an episode of Doctor Who when it is time to say farewell to one incarnation of our beloved pilot of the blue box and welcome another. Those of you who know the show, understand what I am talking about when I mention that the fandom goes through a cycle. There is a period of adjustment when we are not too sure if we will like the next incarnation that comes along. For how could they ever replace the one who came before? But that’s the exciting part. They are not replacing anything- they are merely keeping the story alive by adding their own creative elements to the span of adventures. The next pilot, director in your case, gets to steer the course to new adventures and tales.
And as I step into the shadows know this, I will forever remember when your director was me.
I now introduce you to the next director JAG/DAC, who will announce next year’s season. I have complete faith in her stewardship of this endeavor. You students who remain here will be next years theatre leaders, help her, help the newbies and continue the adventures of JAG/DAC. Your new director has wonderful enthusiasm, passion, and drive that will continue to make this a theatre program worthy of investment and time, Miss Angela Gabardi.