It’s Never Too Late to Make an Impact

Samuel Rosado Montes as Father and Ensemble member. When I first met Samuel in school I remembered him as being one of the most positive-attitude members of the student body I had seen that day. He was a part of the students delivering arrangements ordered from Ms. Cannon’s class, and without saying a word his positivity radiated from him. Appearing as the father and part of the ensemble in Tarzan the Musical, he certainly sets and finishes the tone perfectly.

Coming back a second time is exactly what makes a great impact on great productions. A willingness to try new roles, new experiences, and put oneself “out there” shows how the arts can be found in all areas of the curriculum. Samuel’s involvement and ensemble no doubt also impacts his ability to be an effective member of the cast of Tarzan. I found myself wanting to dive back into the story of Tarzan. from Edgar Burrough’s Tarzan of the Apes and find out more details. I like the fact that Samuel’s role represents aspects of the production that want you dig and discover more, similar to the person Jane represents in the story. He is able to maintain that curiosity as a father that appears brief enough to cause you to want more, as he saves his wife and son, and reemerges to cause that same interest in his son to know more about his roots.

Samuel seems to carry a sense of selflessness and willing to play a part in pushing the narrative of the musical, and the urgency to survive and carry on, as the father in Tarzan depicts, and making us want to know more, to dig deeper on this background of where the father came from, how did they arrive where they arrived, to strive for learning more, all seems to be found in the way Samuel plays his role. While sad to see him already ready to leave in his senior year, it is to Woodbridge’s benefit to have him be a part these past two years to help represent the arts as WHS!

Adversity is Constant, but so is the Commitment to Countering Adversity

Marleigh Tibbs as Snipes/Ensemble. Definitely the threats of adversity lurk everywhere, and can overcome and consume you in any context. Helping assist in bringing the impact of the ensemble to the audience many might overlook and yet, that is one of the most important aspects to help relay the theme and overall sounds of the production, and Woodbridge is lucky to see Marleigh again coming back for another production. Being able to play multiple roles also takes skill and ability, did you remember where you saw her other than as the leopard?

Additionally, being flown in the air as the leopard, initiating the conflict that sets in motion the plot of Tarzan the musical, as well as being a constant threat throughout the production was a need of a reliable cast member. I can’t imagine how it felt to be in midair on so many occasions, while also being concentrated on directing those postures in body language towards another cast member. Despite there being a sense of nervousness in the first night (I would not have gotten to the point of being hooked up and handling being up in the air that high!) – Marleigh’s intensity and concentration are as real as the threat she represents to other members in the musical.

It is inspiring to see the commitment of students coming up through the grades to support the endeavors of a promise of a production to represent the high school. Other surrounding schools in the state and out of the state do not have the means, interest, ability, or funds to be able to offer arts in the form Woodbridge has been able to offer, especially during and after COVID situations. The push and desire to continue in the arts from students, is a testament to the value of directing attention and priorities to student’s interests and ability on this direction. Just as Marleigh’s leopard laser vision/attention is directed towards specific members of the Tarzan the musical plot, her steadfast commitment through and through with the ensemble and stage allows the strength of the arts to continue. Although the leopard’s demise is imminent, it is rewarding to know the future of more inspirational theatre acts is not.

Longevity and Constancy Relies on a Belief in Oneself and the Process

Serenity Harrington as Snipes / Ensemble. Serenity is also a conscientious student when it comes to interested if how others feel, see, and experience the value of any role that she takes on. She wants others to see the value in anything she is a part of to represent WHS, and sometimes frets if it will have the impact her and everyone wants it to. One cannot question how much Serenity put into areas that Woodbridge represents different avenues/interests open to students.

From marching band, hand bell choir, to concert band, choir, to theatre arts, adding in the productions of Frozen, Emma, Legally Blonde, Ghostlight, Elf, and the arts dating back to first grade, Serenity would be what is considered an “old-timer”, someone involved since the very beginning of the school years. If you look closely and pay attention, you will see Serenity in multiple roles within the production. Certainly the ability of juggling Academic Challenge, striving for honor roll, AND adding into the mix extracurricular activities, it sounds so noble and almost expected of students today. It is another reality to see how taxing that can be on student when you see first hand the early mornings, all day rigors required mentally and socially, and then on top of that late hours to allow all to move forward.

I have often seen Serenity first thing in the morning and do indeed see the exhaustion that comes with the decision to thrown oneself into everything. Yet, the rewards are obvious as you see the end product, be it a production, a performance, or a bottom line grade, the expectations that lie outside of the hurdles within school are real. It is a proud moment to see such effort and time being put into activities have such a positive outlet for students like Serenity. WHS is lucky to have someone willing to “stick” to so many avenues of expression for so long. Despite the long hours and tired mornings and late evenings, I see Serenity realizing it is all worth it when you see others, both in school and out, also realize it. Her long-term commitment continues to convince others to do the same, which make things happen at WHS.

Despite the Presence of Quietness, Opportunity and Consistency is the Loudest

Abigail Brabitz in Ensenble. Perhaps one of the quietest students in WHS, (at least seeing through the halls), quietness can be deceiving as you learn in Tarzan the musical. However, if you pay close attention in Tarzan, you see Abigail in multiple places, capable of much diversity in contributing.

If you look in WHS as well, you see Abigail represented in art and the avenue of expression being represented as well. As mentioned previously, being committed to such pursuits year after year allows others to follow to have the same opportunity. Often, the paths that are often the quietest offer the most opportunities for discovery. you sense this with Abigail from her commitment as well from her ability to come year after year.

It goes without saying, that students like Abigail WHS relies on to keep opportunities of expression open to the future. It is exciting and rewarding to know WHS can rely on Abigail to keep these opportunities open to futue classes. Thank you Abigail!