The NDA middle school has had a long-standing tradition of performing a musical every spring. This year, the students presented The Little Mermaid. Historically, the 7th and 8th Grade students are required to participate and 6th Grade students have the option. This past spring, every 6th Grade student opted in. As a current parent of an 8th Grader, these months of auditions, rehearsals, and long days/nights will be cherished and remembered for years to come. Each year the community fills the theater to watch in pure amazement what our Musical Director, Ms. Lori Wukmir, has put together. The confidence that is built on and off the stage is only something that comes with many long hours of time, commitment and dedication. The NDA Middle School Play truly is something special.
Mr. Bestler, our Band Director, designs the entire set with the help of former NDA alumni parents, something that our small school community looks forward to. The middle school parents volunteer many hours to get the stage ready for the four days of performances. The parents volunteer for many facets of the whole performance including stage set up/tear down, painting, hair and makeup, costumes and even people management backstage. The whole school student community gets to see a “teaser” the week before opening night, and the kindergarteners love to see their 8th Grade buddies on stage!
As the current preschool site director, it is a joy to see the preschoolers excited about seeing their 7th Grade buddies up on stage. Over the previous months, the preschool children slowly witness the construction process of the stage and sets in the NDA gym. This cool backstage pass builds excitement and encourages them to tell mom and dad to buy those tickets! We even listen to the songs beforehand, and after seeing the middle school play, many children “act out” scenes from the show for weeks to come. This is a must see production every spring!
Having an 8th Grader participate in the middle school play and now graduate this year from NDA, the play has been such a special memory that I will have had with my daughter for the last three years. From seeing her in 6th Grade singing as part of the chorus to now having watched her take the lead role of “Ariel” this past year, the middle school play has brought such great joy to my long days/nights. This is such a fantastic memory that I will always cherish and remind myself of each year when the play comes. I will also be looking forward to having another three years with the middle school play as my incoming 6th Grader will take part in the show this next school year.
Visit our play page to learn more about this great NDA event!
Heather Discher
Parent of an 8th Grader/Preschool Site Director