The week of May 15-17 was an exciting week for the Sullivan Gardens 6th, 7th, and 8th grade performing arts classes, with special 5th grade guest performers on Wednesday and Thursday. The whole Sullivan kingdom gathered to celebrate the birth of King Stefan and Queen Stefanie's baby girl, Aurora, as the students presented Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
Full of magic and wonderment, the story of Sleeping Beauty is a familiar tale of an evil sorceress and her minions trying to hunt down the fair princess to win power over the kingdom. Three fantastical fairies protect the child by taking her into the woods for sixteen years. The royal court is shaken and all must work to protect the child. But alas, as in every fairy tale, the witch finds the maiden, leaving it up to the handsome prince and true love's kiss to save the day.
Opening night took place in the Sullivan Gardens Middle school campus gymnasium on the evening of May 15. "It was great," exclaimed several cast members following their performance. "The audience really thought we were the actual characters from Sleeping Beauty...Children were lined up to take pictures with us." The next day, students performed two shows back-to-back for the elementary and middle school students. Dr. David Timbs watched the first performance of the day and exclaimed to Mrs. Church several times, "This is amazing!" But that was not the end of their adventure.
As soon as the last show was over in the gymnasium, "the kingdom" was dismantled. Set pieces were loaded onto trucks and props were packed into cars. On Friday morning, students quickly dressed in their costumes, and headed over to Rock Springs Elementary for a morning performance.
Their final performance was for a group of Sullivan South students. The cast and crew were able to experience the show on a stage truly made for professional performances, with a fully installed lighting system and theatre-style audience seating. Students took their final bows and were able to eat pizza and hang out with the South students and teachers. Mrs. Roller, South drama, and Mrs. Iacino, South choral, were able to talk to the students about getting into the South theatre and music program, what the beginning of high school would be like for them, and how to follow their dreams in performance.
When all was said and done, Sullivan Gardens Performing Arts students performed for about 1000 people in three days.
Each location was so different. "It was really good for the students to have to adapt to their new surroundings," explained a parent volunteer. "They had to just go with the flow of what a new atmosphere brings to their production. We were all really proud of them. Each show was outstanding
"We were very fortunate to have so many people reach out to us. Our show was so successful because of all the volunteers and community organizations," shares Kathleen Buttolph, Performing Arts teacher. "We had parents driving all over the place to help collect set pieces. Lamplight Theatre loaned the lighting. Jonesborough Repertory Theatre loaned their microphones, costumes and props. The Rogersville Arts Council loaned costumes and fabric. International Paper Company in Morristown donated cardboard for our backdrops... and that's just to name a few. Students are ready to do it again next year and are already asking me what show I'm going to choose next."
