Olympia School District Players Marks 20th Annual Show This Weekend

osd players
Tiffany Braford (left) was motivated to participate in this year's Olympia School District Players performance after receiving a letter from Dave Rorem.
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By Laurie O’Brien

olympia furnitureDave Rorem almost has a perfect record. Except for 2009, the year he broke his pelvis in a bike accident and had to sit out, the veteran teacher has always participated as a member of the Olympia School District Players annual musical production. This year will mark the Players’ twentieth show and Rorem’s nineteenth. “I’m a little crazy, maybe,” he says. “I did the first one and just enjoyed it. Year after year, I just keep saying, yeah, let’s do it!”

He’s not alone. Every year, up to 80 OSD staff members and their family members participate as part of the Players. For some, it’s a chance to dust off their dancing shoes or stretch rusty singing muscles. For others, it’s a way to step outside their comfort zone – something they ask their students to do all the time. Still others use it as an opportunity to spend quality time with family members, doing an activity they all love. And for all, it’s a chance to have fun and learn on the stage.

osd players
Tiffany Braford (left) was motivated to participate in this year’s Olympia School District Players performance after receiving a letter from Dave Rorem.

Kathy Dorgan, the theater director at Olympia High School, has directed half of the Players’ 20 shows and serves as director for this year’s production, Magical Moments. The musical review will feature numbers from all past shows including Beauty and the Beast, Bye Bye Birdie, Peter Pan, and Guys and Dolls.

“We audition either in December (for a complicated show) or in January right after winter break,” explains Dorgan. The musical director for the show teaches a song to everyone who wants to participate. Then individuals are invited to sing alone if they want to be considered for a lead.

Rorem, who teaches at Washington Middle School, says that he didn’t have a performing background before his first OSD show, but now after so many years, he’s comfortable putting himself out there. He’s been rewarded with some fun parts, too. “I always say, put me wherever you want me.” Then when the cast list comes out, it’s always a nice surprise. A few years ago he played the Cat in the Hat in Sesusical, the Musical, and he’s had featured roles in a number of other shows.

“Sometimes people have a picture of a teacher in this box,” says Rorem. “But we have other lives,” he insists. Stepping outside that box and letting his students see him in a different role is important to him. Participation in the annual musical is one way he can do that.

osd players
The OSD Players is a family affair for the Anders family (from left Kate, Molly and Jennifer).

Tiffany Braford decided to participate this year after receiving a letter from Rorem, inviting other teachers to take part. A first year teacher at Hansen Elementary, Braford has been a musician and performer since she was a young child. She is thrilled that the Players gives her an opportunity to continue pursuing the activities she enjoyed when she was a student. “I don’t have to grow up,” she says with glee. “Plus, I’m getting to meet people I never would have otherwise. The networking aspect is great.”

For the Anders family being part of the OSD players is a family affair. Magical Moments will be the eleventh production for them. 14-year-old Molly was only three when she first appeared in Once Upon a Mattress.

“It has turned into a fun family tradition that we really look forward to,” says Jennifer Anders, a teacher at L.P. Brown Elementary. As a result of their Players’ experience, both Molly and her sister Kate, who is two years older, now participate in theater year round and both credit acting with helping them overcome shyness. “Their confidence and ability to work with adults and other kids … it’s given them a certain comfort level,” says their mother.

osd players
Julia Marzell, Simone Scolaro, Allison Temple and Lily Halvorson are all children of OSD employees. They all are participating in this year’s OSD Players’ Production.

Dorgan believes the rapport the OSD Players develop is important. “They meet people from all over the district. We’ve had teachers, principals, superintendents, support staff. Everyone is equal on the stage, and (they) get to know each other in a fun way,” she says.

“A play needs everyone working together to create an ensemble and put on a show. I think everyone gets a sense of being a part of something bigger than any one person. I also think performers and technicians gain confidence. You never know what you can do until you do it.”

The OSD Players, a theatrical group of teachers, staff, and students from the Olympia School District will perform Magical Moments at Olympia High School’s Performing Arts Center, February 19-22. Featuring hits from 20 years of fantastic musicals, this is definitely a performance that is sure to please audience members of all ages!

The OSD Players musical has been an annual event since 1993; since 2005 all proceeds from the play benefit the Olympia School District Education Foundation (OSDEF). The Foundation is a non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) organization whose programs include classroom and tutoring grants, emergency funding for student needs, and outdoor education.

Tickets for the show are on sale now at Seat Yourself. Performance times are as follows:

Thursday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m.

 

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