Show’s on

Deirdre Newman

For the past 10 years, the stage at TeWinkle Middle School has

been barren of theatrical activity, gathering cobwebs like a musty

attic as attempts to mount shows fizzled.

That changed this year when Principal Jeff Gall decided to look

outside the school for a director.

Enter Kathleen Chapman and daughter Nancy Matossian, stage left.

The duo are renowned for the creative, original shows they have

produced at schools throughout Orange County.

Now, the stage in the multipurpose room has been cleaned up and

reinvigorated, and 22 students rehearse “Waiting in the Wings” every

Tuesday afternoon.

The show, about a group of understudies, is giving the students a

chance to hone artistic skills that don’t receive a lot of attention

during school hours.

“We wanted our kids to be able to excel at this,” said Gall, who

has a small part in the show. “The more things we can offer after

school, the more kids can get involved.”

Gall was able to pay for the show through a foundation grant and

by charging student participants a small fee.

On Tuesday, students shook and shimmied their way across the

stage, rehearsing some of the musical numbers as Chapman and

Matossian worked on polishing their performance.

“You’re not having enough fun!” yelled Matossian, in an effort to

coax some more smiles out of the students.

Chapman, a spunky, red-headed pixie with a penchant for Miss

Piggy, said the theme of the show resonates with real life.

“The show’s about how at any time in life, you have to be ready to

step up to the plate,” Chapman said. “A lot of kids don’t step up to

the plate when called on, and this show is just about getting ready.”

Many of the young actors and actresses said they appreciate being

able to express their creativity in such a professionally run

production.

“I think it’ll turn out pretty good because everybody’s putting so

much commitment in it, and I hope the audience enjoys it as much as

we do,” said eighth-grader Cassidy Scott, 13. “They have high

expectations of us, which is good, because they expect us to be good,

so we are.”

Chapman said she has already seen some impressive transformations

in some of the students based on their involvement in the show.

“For some kinds of this stage, this show will turn their life

around,” Chapman said. “One kid had low self-esteem and now, she’s

singing and dancing.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].