We’re All in This Together

A message from Josh to the production team of High School Musical 

As the first full length musical CKTS has produced, I think that High School Musical was a phenomenal success. We wanted to take a different approach this year with an 'opt-in' show. There were numerous reasons for this decision; wanting to ease the pressure on our incredible team of volunteers who dedicate so much of their time so willingly to our annual productions and also enable families who wanted to book holidays or see family during the October half term to do so without missing out. 

We anticipated and even hinted this might mean a ‘smaller’ show but in reality the show wasn't actually any smaller in scale. There was a much shorter rehearsal period and we were in the theatre for a lot less time, which made it a quite intense process! 

What we achieved together was pretty incredible - a full scale musical rehearsed in 10 days, tech'd and opened in 2 days. I just want to take a moment to emphasise that point, as to get a full-length musical open in that short time, to the standard we achieved is hugely impressive!

In hindsight, I would have liked a little more rehearsal time so we could have developed and polished the show a little more. Condensing the technical rehearsal and dress rehearsal into one day was very intense and only really achievable thanks to the production team’s advance preparation and organisation - so thank you so much to them for being so efficient. 

Personally, I had an interesting journey with this show. I can't say it's my favourite musical, but as rehearsal went on, I came to love it more and more, and it was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be. With a generally younger age group taking principal roles, that added some complexity, but this group is particularly talented, and it was so wonderful to see so many of them take huge strides forward in their confidence. Then there is the small matter of this being a musical and we at CKTS don't currently run any singing classes. Taking that into account really does put into perspective the colossal achievement.

One of the things I find with live theatre is how it can have such a significant effect on an emotional level. If you'd have asked me a few weeks ago how I would feel a couple days after the show I'm pretty sure I'd have said something along the lines of ‘relieved, proud and satisfied’. But as I start writing this note on the Monday after the show, I am still feeling the proverbial post show blues. I have spent the past few days pondering, what is it about this show or experience that has made me feel this particularly strongly? Maybe it's because it is a musical (and I love musicals!) and the heightened emotional response from telling stories through song, or maybe it's because it was slightly different to what we have done before (although I've done lots of musicals before, just not with CKTS). Or maybe it's because it was such a short two show run after such a huge amount of work and effort. I don't know the answer so I shall continue to ponder on that. 

As I return to finishing my note to you a week later, I have been thinking a little more about post show blues and other reasons live theatre can have such a huge psychological impact on people. Musicals especially, in my view, impact us because of the combination of movement, singing and storytelling as a shared experience with all of us creating the work for the audience. Costumes, lighting, set, props, sound and usually some smoke (although we didn't use smoke this time and I can't remember the last time I did a show without some form of smoke effect) all come together to create a magical world of escapism. I often think everyday life would be so much more fun and satisfying if a soundtrack accompanied it. 

This prompted me to do a little research on the combination of neurochemicals the body releases when participating in or watching live theatre. Dopamine, adrenaline, endorphins and oxytocin is a potent cocktail giving a feeling of reward and purpose. Once the show is over, the sudden drop in those chemicals gives the feeling of emptiness and nostalgia. 

I'm sure some of you will be far more aware of the biology/chemistry than I am, but on a basic level I have found it interesting to understand a little more:

• Dopamine - the feel-good chemical released during rewarding activities to motivate repeating those activities 

• Adrenaline - primes the body to react quickly the 'fight or flight' response

• Endorphins - natural painkiller released during physical exercise and listening to music - so dance is a big trigger for this

• Oxytocin - the love hormone, released during social bonding - something that is triggered by the shared experience of creating a great piece of theatre as a team

When you look at that combination, which is released not just when involved in live theatre, but also experienced by audiences, it's easy to appreciate why so many heightened emotions are at play. Tears, laughter, joy, nervousness and exhaustion are all on display at the show, and I'm willing to bet every one of us experiences at least one or two of those when we work on a show.

It's good to acknowledge our feelings, and I believe it essential for our own health and wellbeing. To help overcome the post show blues, we have a family tradition of going for a Sunday roast in a local pub the day after the show. The thought of it is always far more relaxing than the reality with our little tribe, but it does give us the opportunity to spend time together and chat about the show. Some fresh air going for a run and a dog walk, and a revisit of last year's show Cinderella all helped fill that hollow post show feeling. 

One of the most wonderful things about live theatre is that it has the ability to touch us in different ways. This show may have been one that connected with you, or it may not. Equally for some of the students this will have been a really special one, and for others not so much. Regardless it is immensely satisfying to know that this experience that we all provide for them can make such a mark on their lives. The time and effort you all put into CKTS is so much more than the sum of its parts, and it's what makes CKTS so special.

Thank you all so much - I hope you realise what a wonderful experience you all provide the students of CKTS, because these shows wouldn't be possible without you.