Students take to the spotlight in musical

The creative process is anything but tidy. Actually it starts out chaotic.

That's evident in watching rehearsals for the Central Junior High School production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

At the same time, the creative process is a joy to watch.

It's amazing how well these kids can sing even when surrounded by the distractions of people working on the set, lights and sounds all at the same time.

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised. After all, teenagers are all about drama. Our teenage daughter, Becca, is a drama queen. So is our goddaughter, Allie Wolz.

Give Allie a microphone and she turns into a singing diva.

All these kids have a stage presence.

Director Mike Dumey every year molds the singing and acting skills of seventh- and eighth-graders into a mesmerizing performance.

I'm not sure how he does it, keeping track of camel costumes and other assorted stuff that one needs to put on a performance. A couple hundred students are involved in this year's musical.

Becca's in the stage choir for this year's production. She and others are on stage throughout the show, providing the backup vocals.

Allie has one of the lead singing roles. She loves center stage.

What teenager wouldn't want to perform? Their lives are daily dramas. But unlike real life, those on stage get to rehearse their lines.

Students have rehearsed after school for weeks. Joni and I showed up at last Saturday's rehearsal to get a first-hand look at the creative process.

We marveled at the vocal skills of all these kids and how they take direction.

Getting teenagers to take direction at home is a different story. But put them in a school musical and they actually listen, although sometimes they need a few reminders.

"Shower and use deodorant," the woman in charge of costumes reminds students.

At one point Saturday, stage hands started to remove the moon. "Put the moon back," said Dumey, interrupting the on-stage singing.

When Dumey directs a musical, he's like an evangelist. He draws everyone into his mission -- students, parents, relatives, other teachers. His enthusiasm is contagious. Just ask all the parents who have joined Dumey's merry band. Parents have helped out with costumes, programs and ticket sales.

There's nothing like a little shameless promotion. To that end, the musical will be performed Wednesday Thursday and Friday starting at 7 p.m.

You have to love a musical that gives Elvis style to an Egyptian pharaoh and puts a French accent to "Those Canaan Days."

Judith Farris, a professional singer who teaches voice students at Southeast Missouri State University, stopped by Saturday's rehearsal to offer a few words of advice.

She advised the kids to clearly enunciate even if it means spitting while they sing. And I thought spitting was only helpful for baseball players.

It's amazing what a rehearsal can teach you.

I can't wait to see the show.

Mark Bliss is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.