Pinocchio- part 2

I love helping direct the high school play. I love working with actors to create a character that tells a story. I love the insane amount of logistics needed to produce a show. I love the teamwork of directors who put their heads together to create a fun production. And I love seeing stories come to life through talented acting.

This year when we chose to do Pinocchio, I was excited to use the dynamic of students to create a story. What I didn’t realized was the depth of emotion that could be created on stage through some goofy high schoolers.

The story of Pinocchio starts with Geppetto creating a puppet- beautiful and perfect. But then the puppet comes to life and immediately is caught up in disobedience and a way-ward heart. He runs away from his father to do his own thing. Shortly into the story he realizes his mistake and reconciles with his father.

Only a few minutes later is led astray again by a mis-led friend- and ditches school to watch a show. Geppetto the father, starts to look for him, but always seems to be just a little bit behind where Pinocchio is. Pinocchio continues to have opportunities to go home and find his father, but is pulled aside by others- a fox and cat, the circus and the overwhelming desire to play instead of obey.

In the end Geppetto get swept away to sea, and almost dies. When Pinocchio hears of his fathers misfortune, he decides to make a good choice and find his father, eventually saving his life. When they meet again, the never swaying love of Geppetto is shown to Pinocchio who repents of his disobedience.

So often we are just like Pinocchio. We tend to do what we want instead of what is right or what the Lord is pulling us towards. God the father, however, never stops longing for us to be with him and follow him. Just like Geppetto, his joy is overwhelming when we do seek him and are with him.

Thank you actors for bringing this beautiful truth to life on stage and for us all to be reminded of God’s overwhelming, unconditional love!

The beautiful and talented cast in our 1920’s themed version of Pinocchio!

Our beautiful directing team- I had so much fun with these ladies!

Here are a few clips… I apologize for the shakiness and laughing…

Clip from one of the dance scenes- watch the fox in the background. (Sorry for the shakiness)

Geppetto is thrown into jail by a drunken policeman… had the crowd crying from laughter!

Pinocchio

I have had the privilege of again helping direct the high school play. This year we have chosen Pinocchio and it’s been so fun to work with a great group of students. The past few months of practices have FLOWN by and tonight was our final dress rehearsal. I am so proud of the students and cant wait for them to have a paying audience to perform for on Thursday!

In the meantime… here are some pictures…

Friendship week

Back a few weeks, we focused on friendship in Pre-kinder as we learned about Jesus friends the disciples. We learned that friends shared, friends show love and friends serve each other. Here are some of the fun activities we did to celebrate!

Each student had an envelope that others could put cards and little gifts in. They spend a lot of free time making special cards for each other.

We learned that friends work together and make special friendship chains to put up in the classroom to remind us to work together.

 

Part of being a good friend is using nice words. Each student got a crown, but before they decorated their classmates shared things they liked about a student and wrote it on the crown. The kids were so happy to think of nice things to say and to get their special friendship crowns.

We learned that Jesus served his friends by washing their feet. We decided to practice by first toe painting (like finger painting) then washing each other’s feet.