Our Stories

JPDS-NC Presents: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!

December 17, 2014 by Hannah Seidel (Faculty and Staff) Ronit Greenstein (Faculty and Staff)

On December 14, fifty-five students from Pre-K to Sixth Grade took the stage in JPDS-NC’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The energy-packed performance showcased not only the extraordinary talent and hard work of the student performers and stage crew, but also the energy and enthusiasm of the twenty-two parent volunteers who helped make it possible, including dedicated Co-Directors Sarah Shapiro and Sara Gershman, Musical Director Helene Reisler, and Artistic Director Sandy Schulman.

Children sang in both Hebrew and English, surrounded by glittering sets and beautiful costumes created by the student stage crew and parent volunteers. “I liked making props and working crew during the performances,” said Robert Zuckerman, a member of the stage crew. “Being in the play was a great experience – I liked acting with my friends,” said Hannah Davis, one of the narrators in the play. “It was a really tight-knit cast,” added Rochelle Berman, who also played a narrator. Many roles were split so that everyone who wanted to be part of the play could participate.

The show featured a violin solo by a first grader, shots of Canaan designed by a Broadway projection designer (and JPDS-NC parent), a break-dance-off, and many more memorable moments, along with nervous giggles and beaming faces. When the show ended “we were hugging… all that work and it paid off!” said Jennifer Nehrer, a member of the stage crew. “It felt satisfying,” added Rebecca Stanislawski, another crew member “…and like I wanted to do another play!”

“The joy of theater comes from seeing what can happen when everyone puts their individual talents and work towards the same final product,” said Sarah Gershman and Sarah Shapiro, the show’s volunteer Co-Directors. “Theater gives us the opportunity to create something from scratch – to bring light and music to what would otherwise have been a dark and empty stage.” The children in the cast and crew who came together so beautifully and brought Joseph to life. Kol Hakavod to the students and all the volunteers – You made our Joseph dream come true!