Circle of Life BTB Musical CAS

*Photos are not of the best quality x.x

Last 2013 our school Bina Tunas Bangsa had our first ever musical production, the "Bits and Pieces of Broadway", showcasing our students in an entertaining 2 hour long performance. This year, we were inspired to do the same but better. "Circle of Life" was a Lion King inspired musical performance, with a modern twist to it, including new pop songs that were popular during the period. The singing and dancing by children of the primary sector were spectacular, face painting making them look even more adorable. Their electrifying talents blew everyone away as nobody had expected such unification and capability in little children. Us eleventh graders on the other hand, worked as behind the scene ushers.

Ten of us were in on it, me; Gabriella Wina, Jermysen Vendarwan, Dennis Oh, Kelvin Jordan, Anthonie Tjendana, Tommy Gunawan, Juanito Clement Tanjung, William Hartono, Devin Christian, and Denzel Andrews. We wore with such pride a black tee with an orange lion on its front, the symbol of the musical.

On Friday, 17 April 2015, we were given our uniforms and briefed with what each of us should do. Each of us were given a station to work at, some being in pairs, either guarding the music room, working the ticket station, greeting guests in the main door, and even roaming the 3rd and 4th floor looking for requested staff or students. As the parents who came were overly excited to see their children, we had to start working at 4pm, even though the show would begin at 6. The same happened the next day, with even more parents arriving early, most probably since it was the show's last day, and it was on a Saturday as well.

Sure it was tiring work, having to stand for hours straight with only a few sitting breaks in two consecutive days, but it was also insanely fun. With friends like these you start to forget about how weak your legs become and instead laugh and have a great time, even socializing with the staff and guests that came. During the show, when nobody else came to show their tickets, some of us went inside to make sure that the guests won't exit using the wrong door, and we helped maintain the silence of the audience as there were many younger brothers and sisters of the performers who were starting to create commotion. Me being one of the people who got to stay inside for a little bit thus got a peek and let me tell you. It made the crowd go wild.

Post performance we went back to our stations to make sure that the parents won't bring their children home straight away as the curtain call was still going on, and we had the honor of a new job: High five-ing the performers telling them they did a great job. I was blessed to be able to hi-five the young king of the jungle.

It was almost nine when all the guests had eventually gone, and since we were still young at heart, we snagged the opportunity to take pictures on the amazing set that was built, act all Mufasa and Scar on stage and ran away when we realized people were watching us. We were also provided with food, and as we dined we had a delightful exchange of opinions on who the prettiest kid actress was. I just love being friends with dudes.

And that was it. Two days, five hours each, and ten crazy people racing all the way to IB.

That was our Circle of Life the Musical CAS.

I don't know how to smile xD

Learning outcomes checklist:

1. Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas for growth 

There were different jobs for each of us, with some having to greet the visitors, some having to hand out flyers, and some accepting the tickets in. At first I was asked to show the audience to their seats, but seeing that I'm not that good with talking to people, I was shifted to the ticket department. It showed where I was lacking and now I know where I need to improve myself.

2. Undertaken new challenges
I've been in a school performance before, but I have never helped in setting one up. This was really new to me, and I didn't know how much of a fuss it would be to work backstage.

5. Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
Since some people came in late, it was up to me and my friends to show them the right way to the show and make them feel welcomed. We stayed in our stations the whole time and had glimpses of the show as we took shifts. 

7. Considered the ethical implications of their actions
Talking the audience was hard enough, but to know that these are also the friends and family of my school's students made it even more nerve-wracking. We were sure to be polite and nice to the people that came, making sure to not ruin the school's reputation.