Fiddler Feedback

Hello interwebs!  I’m officially terminating my longest hiatus from blogging yet, and I’d like to blame it all on directing Fiddler on the Roof Jr…even though that ended June 14^th. :p  Seems like the more I have to blog about, the less I blog because ain’t nobody got time for dat. 

So yes!  #bndsdoesfiddler is finally over, officially claiming the title of the hardest but most rewarding project of my life.  In the next few posts I’ll talk more about the “Four Major Tragedies” that Father amazingly worked through and show you pictures of the final product. 

But first, this is my favorite part.  Of course, I work my butt off to make good art, to raise standards, to encourage thinking and compassion, and to show people what we are capable of when we work hard together.  But after the final curtain, all that physically remains are some dried flowers, sweat-stained costumes, cups from backstage, and maybe an illegal video from the punk in the 9^th row who didn’t listen to my firm curtain speech.  All that lasts are the people impacted and the lessons they learned and friends they made through this process.  My greatest joy has been seeing that impact in my life and in the lives of my students.  So here are just a few quotes I stole from students who posted on WeChat (the Chinese version of facebook).

“I love my Fiddler Family!” –Anny (Golde)

“I want to Motel forever!!!!!”- Unique (Motel)

“WE DID IT!!! AND WE ARE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN TOMORROW!!!”

--Jackie (Fyedka)

“Sorry that I break the rule, but I am just TOO EXCITED!!!!” –Michael (Mordcha)

We told them to go to bed by 11 instead of gushing online about the show to each other.  He posted this at 11:29. ;)

“Sorry Miss Korkosz, I should have known how disrespectful I was when I decided not attend grade 9 music class.  I’ve learned how to be responsible and respectful.  Thanks to Fiddler.  J” –Stefanie, 10^th grade. 

“I just can’t believe that the most wonderful three months in my life have ended.” –Michael (Mordcha)

“Miss Barkas, Miss Korkosz, Miss Anderson and Mr. Carter, you are the least scary teachers, the most thoughtful members and together the best-functioned team I have ever seen in my life.  You are such inspirations for me and for all of us.  You are the embodiment of enthusiasm and kindness, and you have taught me an essential lesson of courage and determination.” –Ivy (Shprintze)

This collection of memories is from my student Cookie, who was a shining star in the chorus…

“It was just AWESOME, AWESOME, and AWESOME!!!!!!!  It is the first musical I have ever taken part in and it really gave me a lot more than just a show.

I can still remember that day at the beginning of this semester. On my way back to the dorm, Ms. Anderson told me that there was gonna be a MUSICAL.
I remember that we were confused about what the word "Fiddler" meant. We even thought that was a man's name. Now, I won't forget this word FOREVER.
I remember the time I was considering whether I would take part in the audition or not. Now I am really glad that I make the right decision.  I remember, Ivy, we cheer for each other before the audition even we didn't know each other very well at that time. I can still feel that nervousness during the audition. I was soooo nervous that my voice was shaking.  I remember we practiced Matchmaker for the whole day for the callback; we even sang it before the economics class! Now I will never forget that melody.

I can still feel the excitement when I saw my name on the cast list but still a little bit confused about my role's title: another man.  I remember the first time the whole cast gathered together and read through the script. We laughed about "marring a monkey", "this is not mine" and so on. I remember that weekend when we started the dance of Tradition. We laughed at Papas' movement because it looked really funny. I remember skipping self study for food every time after the rehearsal and explain to those teachers why we skip difficultly.  I remember the first time we saw our skirt and tried on them. I was really surprised that it was great!!!!!  I remember checking Ms. Barkas' email every night(oops! I forgot to pay the fine....).

I remember that I realized Fiddler on the Roof just gradually came into our lives and became a part of our lives. We just add "and god be with you" after saying goodbye to each other.  Sometimes the melody becomes an earworm and just repeat again and again in our mind. We started singing those songs while doing other things. We started to call others by the name of their role in the show.

I remember we experienced so much emotions together.  The excitement of finishing the whole show. The sadness when someone decided to leave us. The happiness when we improved.  And the surprising feeling when we saw fansy new props.

I remember we were too excited to concentrate on other things on those day like we were moving into the gym or going to run the show with costume. I remember we complained about having no time to review for the test or do homework or even other things(like....the blushes were soooo red!!!!?lol) However we kept going and overcame those difficulties. I remember standing under the spot light feeling myself was really a villager of Anatevka.  It was this musical which brought all of us together and made us get to know of each other. Although the musical ended, our friendship won't stop.”

Love these students.  So glad I can continue to see them grow next year.