Oliver 2020
Hard to believe, but this is our 3rd production of Oliver! We are dealing with a very rare situation with the Corona Virus pandemic that has affected theatrical productions across our country and the world. We are still hoping to perform on schedule at North Eugene High School May 8, 9 and 10. We will just have to wait and see if this will be possible. I’m crossing fingers and toes that it can and will happen.
Newsies 2019
I think Newsies is my all time favorite musical to direct! I love the history of this show and how it demonstrates that kids can gather together for a worthy cause and make positive change happen! I also enjoyed our multi-age cast – 5th Grade to Adult!
Lion King 2018
Our inspiration on this musical came from Kelli DeForrest, an amazing local artist who had worked for Disney for six years as an artist. She taught us how to create We had such a hardworking crew of parents and students that helped to carve 34 intricate head masks for this amazing production. My classroom was transformed into a major Disney art studio on a weekly basis. The results were amazing and I’m so proud of everyone’s help on this show!
Honk! 2017
I love this musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling.” This is the second time we have performed this lovely show at McCornack. Our earlier show was in 2009.
Spirit of America 2016
This is a musical that I wrote to honor our country’s long history. It is the second time we have performed it at McCornack. – last time was in 2002. I wrote some new scenes to reflect our deep immigrant roots. I originally wrote this musical after the tragic attacks to our country on September 11, 2001. I felt it was a time to celebrate our roots from important Native American heritage to current times.
Music Man 2015
This is our second time performing Music Man. Our earlier Music Man was presented in 2001. There are so many famous songs and scenes made famous by composer Meredith Wilson. We had a dedicated cast who did a great job bringing this wholesome story to life!
Annie 2014
We had a great time putting together our 3rd production of “Annie!”Previous performances at McCornack were in 1999 and 2005. It is a classic and always a beloved favorite on the stage! I know we certainly had a lot of fun!
[Not a valid template]
Beauty and the Beast 2013
“Beauty and the Beast” is a magical story, yet its origin dates back to the pre-French Revolutionary period. The characters represent the peasant class, aristocracy, etc. So many versions of “Beauty and the Beast” exist. Our cast loved this show and were very happy to present this modern version to our McCornack audiences! So many great memories . . .
[Not a valid template]
Peter Pan 2012
It has been 10 years since our last production of “Peter Pan.” We had many enthusiastic and loyal students willing to try their hand at a variety of new experiences on our McCornack stage. I am grateful to all of you for putting in many long after school and weekend hours to make this show a success!
I am also very appreciative of the dedicated team of community and parent volunteers that gave of their time and talents for this production. A simple thank you does not seem nearly enough for all that you have done for our students at McCornack, but THANK YOU!
[Not a valid template]
Wizard of Oz 2011
“The Wizard of OZ” is such a classic story and fun to direct! I think everyone associated with the musical this year really got into the spirit of the show and had lots of fun! I am so appreciative of the immense help from parents who really went at so many tasks with gusto! I will always be indebted to so many of you that came through with painting, costumes, props, set construction, publicity, etc. Many of you spent LONG hours to bring the Land of OZ to life. Your talented children may be graduating from our musicals, but I hope many of you will stay on to be a part of the McCornack magic with future productions.
[Not a valid template]
Willy Wonka 2010
“Willy Wonka” is McCornack’s 28th musical! It’s hard for me to imagine I have directed 20 of them! Our rehearsal schedule was long and loaded with many songs, dances and scenes to learn and perfect. Our dedicated cast worked hard to create plenty of Wonka magic on our stage. We will be humming many familiar songs for years to come. A huge thank you to all of the many parents and community members who helped to make this show possible. My biggest thanks goes to our amazing students who brought “pure imagination” to the hearts and minds of cast, crew and our appreciative audiences! Thanks everyone!
[Not a valid template]
Honk! 2009
This was a fun musical to direct. “Honk” is the musical version of The Ugly Duckling. It is a story of acceptance, kindness and believing in yourself. Thanks to all parents, staff, community members, former parents, former students, 3rd and 4th grade froglets and, most of all, our 5th grade cast for making this show such a HIT!
[Not a valid template]
Oliver 2008
This production was our second Oliver at McCornack. The first one was performed in the year 2000. Great cast, super team, lots of fun! Thanks to all who had in making this a memorable show!
[Not a valid template]
Beauty and the Beast 2007
Our 2007 5th Grade Musical was quite a project! Beauty and the Beast was a special treat to direct. We had such great kids who showed an amazing commitment to their new dramatic and musical endeavors. There were many late rehearsal hours, but all worth it! I get such a thrill working with students on their singing and acting. It is always so exciting to take students out of their comfort zones. I like to watch those precious moments when students realize how much they are accomplishing and learning about themselves! What a fun and rewarding experience for all!
This show posed new challenges with special effects and costume design. Jeanne Eckenroad, pictured below, was stretched to the max on creating unusual body coverings. Making a Wardrobe, a Clock, a Candelabra, Rugs, a Statue, Knives, Forks and Spoons, etc. showing that castle inhabitants are slowly becoming inanimate objects due to an enchantress’ spell, stretches the creative juices and is no small feat! Many thanks also to Lillian for her enormous assistance in creating our Teapot, Creamer, Saucer and chipped Tea Cup!
I hope you enjoy the photos of our magical McCornack production of “Beauty and the Beast!”
[Not a valid template]
Seussical 2006
“Seussical the Musical” combines many familiar Dr. Seuss characters and stories into one fairly complicated tale. Characters such as Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Mayzie LaBird, Gertrude McFuzz, the Bird Girls, the Whos of Whoville, the Wickersham Monkeys, a boy named Jojo and many others all hold important parts in this production. Seussical, in some respects, was our most challenging ever because it is about 95% music. There were so many difficult songs to learn. Our cast, with colorful feathers flying all over the stage, met the challenge and performed beautifully!
[Not a valid template]
Annie 2005
The classic story of Little Orphan Annie is always a very popular and beloved musical. I have directed this show twice at McCornack in 1999 and in 2005. Needless to say, I often burst out singing “The sun will come out tomorrow” rather often in my classroom years later! Enjoy the photos and our memories!
[Not a valid template]
The Sound of Music 2004
“The Sound of Music” has always been one of my very favorite musicals. I think it is because when I was a kid my girl friends and I used to act out the movie in my neighbor’s back yard. I always wanted to play the part of Maria. I would spread out my arms, spin and sing “The hills are alive,” just like Julie Andrews!
A special treat for the cast this year was to involve a friend of mine, Craig Bowie, a professional dancer/actor/artist, to be guest choreographer. He actually lives in Arizona, but was visiting his parents for a few months and happily volunteered to join us. He really got our students’ toes dancing up a storm which was a great experience for all!
Jeanne, our dedicated and talented costume designer, was put to the challenge of creating, sewing, and coordinating a mega amount of costumes. We also had record costume changes backstage – 30 second turn around time for all of our Von Trapp family members! Now that’s fast!
As with all shows, there is always a unique challenge or two. This year, it was figuring out how to make large marionette puppets. The Ligon family was on the task. Oh my goodness – the puppets were absolutely wonderful. Thank you, thank you!
Riley, our Captain Von Trapp, really raised the bar for determination and perfection when it came to rehearsals. “Miss Olsen, I really think I need to practice that scene(s) again . . . and again . . . and again!” What a role model of “practice makes perfect!” Riley was joined with a wonderfully dedicated cast that worked so hard and performed with confidence and pride!
I thoroughly enjoyed this show and had so much fun directing it with great McCornack kids, helpful parents, and excellent volunteers!
[Not a valid template]
Peter Pan 2003
Peter Pan was a joy to direct! We had a wonderfully talented and enthusiastic cast that was game for many new skills to be learned. Sword fighting (with wooden swords) became a popular activity for some during recess. I was always concerned when Peter Pan (Ian) and Captain Hook (Cameron) really got into their roles a bit too much. Wood chips would be zooming all over the place! Taiko drumming was incorporated into the show which was very popular with audiences. Of course, flying was also quite daunting, but excitingly masterful when we finally got Eugene District 4j’s permission and figured out how to do it safely. Lots of planning, creating, building and practicing – for hours – became the norm for our phenomenal Peter (Ian) as well as Wendy (Jillian), John (Ben), Michael (Chris) and Jane (Eunice). They were all troopers with our flying experiments!
A special thank you goes to Ian, who played Peter with such skill! On our senior citizen roadshows, I still have people coming to me years later asking about him. They were positive that he must have been a professional child actor, wanted to know his name and sure they would read about him in the future! Thanks, Ian, for putting up with wearing a short green tunic, green tights and a tight fitting flying harness that about sucked all of the air out of your lungs!
We had such a colorful, awesome cast of Pirates, Lost Boys, the Darling Family with Nana the dog, Tiger Lily’s Tribe, a Crocodile, Mermaid and, of course, Tinkerbell! We also had generous and innovative parents that helped to make the magic happen! I wish I had more pictures, but at least these give you an idea of our memorable show that just “won’t grow up!”
[Not a valid template]