You know those pesky creatures that hang around your house and yard and “bug” you all the time. Well, recently, the first graders at Chocachatti Elementary School showed that bugs are remarkably like humans and maybe somewhat misunderstood−at least in the fantasy world portrayed in the musical production of “Bugz.”
These students had an opportunity to show off their talent in what was probably the first time any of them had ever been on stage. Every child in the first-grade classes had a part in the show. Some had speaking roles, as well as singing and dancing parts. Some just danced or sang or both. In any event, the children did a first-rate job in their debut, thanks to the tireless work of the “Specials” teachers and the help of the classroom teachers and parents.
They began rehearsing in December, starting in their regular classrooms. Then Rhonda Bowers, the dance instructor, rehearsed the students on the stage during lunches to get them familiar with being in front of an audience. At the same time, the drama teacher, Irmarie Kraft, worked with her students practicing using a microphone, while the music teacher, Nancy Kraus, taught the songs to all the students. Afterwards, she selected the students for the solos and duets. Art teacher Marianne Poholek and her students worked on set decorations, while first-grade classroom teachers, Laura Kent, Noelle Olszewski, Larissa Orlando, Jessica Price, Paige Scott, Amanda Siani, and Sara Skidmore also helped prepare the students for the show.
By the time the show debuted in front of all the students and teachers for a dress rehearsal of sorts, the children’s performances were polished and they showed no sign of nerves. Just excitement! Then, the following evening, the children performed for their proud family members and friends. For Emersyn Wynn, who was a singer and a dancer, singing was his favorite part of the show.
On the other hand, Gabriella Beetz, who was a dancer in the Firefly dance, stated, “It was good because I like how we made a big circle around the little circle.”
Although many of the students had never performed on stage before, some had. For example, Scarlett Ames performed in her kindergarten graduation last year and Beatrice Dabbs was in the Chocachatti Idol show last year, when she was in kindergarten. “I sang solo in front of the whole school,” she proudly remarked.
Shawn Saavedra and Mason Russell were dance partners and they agreed that they liked doing jazz hands and skipping in a circle before the big finish. Roman Llamera also liked dancing for a practical reason because “it makes my legs stronger.”
Austin Arroyo, who had a speaking part and was also a dancer, remarked, “I did a cartwheel for the Flipping Beetle part. Dancing with my partner was hard at first because she always wanted to go fast and I told her she had to slow down. Then we got it.”
For some, this performance gave them the show business “bug.” Many would like to continue performing and being a student at Chocachatti will give them that opportunity. Lisabelle Bermudez commented, “I like to sing and dance at home. It gives me a great feeling.”
Rylee Baum remarked, “I like to perform in front of people.” Naomi Hudson stated, “I liked my part because I like to talk to people. I would like to have a dance and gymnastics part.”
As with all the shows that are performed at Chocachatti, “Bugz” featured colorful and imaginative costumes, upbeat songs, clever dialogue and a versatile assortment of dances. Underlying it all was a theme or concept that teaches children life skills and positive attitudes. The costumes clearly portrayed all the types of bugs. The army ants wore camouflage fatigues and army helmets. The ladybugs were dressed in red costumes with black polka dots, while the bees wore yellow skirts with black stripes and yellow gossamer wings.
The songs and dances were creative. For example, the song “Bug and Roll” had a Rock vibe to it and the “Picnic Song” had a Country flavor. The play taught that it’s necessary for everyone to cooperate in order for a plan to succeed, even if it’s a dastardly plot to ruin a human’s picnic. The only group of bugs that nobody wanted to include were the “stink bugs” because, obviously, they smelled pretty bad. It was the praying mantis who came up with the idea to use sweet-smelling flower leis to hide the stink bugs’ odor and, in the end, everyone was happy−except maybe the humans!
These first graders have four more years to develop their skills and confidence as they continue to perform in plays like this and their parents can look forward to seeing their child blossom and, who knows, even go on to perform on Broadway.
