Student director calling shots at Hillcrest

By Trisha Marczak | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Heidi Jahr has some big shoes to fill this weekend at Hillcrest Academy.

The role of high school musical director is traditionally set aside for an English or drama teacher. That’s not the case this year at Hillcrest where Jahr, a senior, is stepping up to direct this year’s performance of “Mary Poppins.”

That means she’s the one calling the shots. While her fellow classmates were prepping themselves for auditions, she was on the other end making the decisions.

Although she’s running the show, Jahr said it really all comes down to team work.

“They help me out. We keep each other accountable,” she said. “I’ve learned that it’s a team effort. If one person flacks, it will cost everything.”

Jahr debuted as a director last year, when she took on the school’s performance of “My Fair Lady”. The musical was put on for the community as a fundraising event by the junior-senior prom committee. Jahr, who was president of the committee, volunteered to take on the directing role.

“One of my dreams was to direct something like that,” she said.

The show was a hit. Performance and attendance exceeded Jahr’s expectations. Five hundred people attended the event, which contributed greatly to their fundraising efforts and helped Jahr realize that directing might be her calling.

She decided to take the stage for the second time this year as the director for “Mary Poppins.” after discovering the dialogue for the musical on the Internet this summer. She fine-tuned the script to match the religious ethics of Hillcrest and began planning for the performance. Rehearsals began in February.

Her role as the director generally includes running auditions, pulling together loose ends, organizing practices and managing scenes. She enjoys all aspects of directing, but said observing her fellow classmates in action is more rewarding than anything.

“I like watching other people developing their acting skills.”

Jahr’s activity in the musical department has kept her active. With practices on weeknights and school throughout the day, she’s learned to manage her time. And although she admits it can all be a bit exhausting, she’s determined to make a career out of directing. She’ll attend Seattle Pacific University next fall, where she’ll study to be a music director.

Jahr said she’s optimistic that this year’s performance will impress. After three and a half months of practice, she’s confident that the musical will be a delightful family experience.

The Hillcrest performance of “Mary Poppins.” will take place May 16, 17 and 18, 7:30 p.m. at the Hillcrest Student Activities Center. Tickets are $4 at the door. Children ten and under will be admitted free of charge. All proceeds will go toward Hillcrest’s drama department.