A Great Show is a Miracle!
At one point in my life I was very critical of marching productions, always seeing the flaws and poor design choices. But as I’ve gotten more experience, and especially as I’ve had 11 years of podcast and webinar conversations, I’ve learned to look at it all differently.
It’s easy to sit back and mock a show that’s not working. Those who can’t actually create something get the luxury of playing the role of critic. But if you’ve spent some time “in the arena” trying to create something wonderful, you learn just how difficult that is.
I’m reminding you that a truly great show is a miracle! There are so many moving pieces and so many people and elements involved that it’s astounding if everything goes right. If you witness a show that works on every level, from design to performance to emotional content to logistics, you are seeing a miraculous sight!
Countless times in my career as a music arranger and show designer I’ve had really great, creative, exciting show ideas that just didn’t turn out right. Maybe one member of the design team didn’t understand or didn’t follow through, or the weather wreaked havoc on the rehearsal schedule. Personal interactions among humans, dynamics in a school building, sudden shifts in the tastes or expectations of a community, world events, pandemics!….the list of potential pitfalls is unending.
We have to keep all of this in perspective. Everything will probably not go as you hope. The trumpet soloist may surprise you with braces! The dance soloist may turn an ankle. We find a way to make it work and we keep going.
The great educators constantly remind their team (and themselves) that it’s really about the kids! No matter how rough a season may be going, the students are likely still loving the activity. They are performing with their friends. They are making music and dancing and performing.
Keep this perspective and find the good in every performance you see. And if you DO witness a show where it’s all working, know that it’s a miracle! Be thankful that the group had this experience, and that you got to see it happen. And no matter what interferes with the attempt at perfection, we must enjoy the process and try again next time. A show or a season doesn’t have to be perfect to be a joy to all involved.
Tim Hinton
June 9, 2022
