Schools

Former Superintendent Gives 'Aida' High Praise

"The wide range of emotion that had to be conveyed by song, in word, and through well-rehearsed body movement and dance stretched their skill development and brought all of us in the audience to appreciative applause again and again."

Since working as editor of Minnetonka Patch, I have had the opportunity to catch a few plays at Minnetonka High School. They have all been excellent, and I brag about the talent of Minnetonka Theatre every chance I get.

Apparently, the is not one to be missed. 

The following letter from former Superintendent of Minnetonka Schools Dr. Don Draayer to Director Kent Knutson was shared with me from the school district.  

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Dr. Draayer served as principal in elementary, middle and high school settings, followed by assistant superintendent and superintendent positions for 24 years in the Minnetonka School District. He received the honor of National Superintendent of the Year in 1990.  

Monday, April 29, 2013

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Dear Kent,

Mary Anne and I have read about AIDA over our long lives, but this is the first performance of AIDA we have seen first-hand.

We ordered tickets early and are so glad we did.  The accolades will flow from all who see this production! 

By the way, the utilization of the Internet to keep us informed about all productions is much appreciated.

What pleases me most is that AIDA, like so many of the MHS musicals, truly challenges the talented high school students to rise to a new, higher level in their personal development.

The wide range of emotion that had to be conveyed by song, in word, and through well-rehearsed body movement and dance stretched their skill development and brought all of us in the audience to appreciative applause again and again throughout the production.

The fact is that Karl Amunson, Katherine Fried, Eric Sargent, Ryan Hedblom, and Kurt Wallgren are seniors and are accomplished actors and singers from past productions; they needed and wanted to “go out” on a high.  That certainly was accomplished by their performances in AIDA.   We wish them well in their future endeavors!

We also look forward to the younger talent of Madelyn Hirschuber, Will Hoverman, and Elza Thayer in future productions, complemented of course by the many others in this cast who will grace the stage again in year(s) to come. 

Where did you obtain those swarthy Guards and Egyptian Warriors whose muscles were a perfect fit for their roles? 

I read in the program that the football team was one of your sources.

This reminds me how pleased I am that at MHS excellence in all extra-curricular activities is the goal and that students celebrate their spark, their gifts, and their various contributions not in narrow-minded cliques but in mass.  (This is not true for many high schools.)

Little wonder under open enrollment District 276 draws students from far and wide. 

When a school district reputation for excellence builds, as indeed is true for Minnetonka, expectations continue to rise. 

Modeling the best for others requires constant reinforcement and creativity.

Any slip along the way can become fodder to those who out of envy choose to be critical.

May the energy and commitment you and all other theater team members demonstrated in previous years and this year continue for years and decades to come!

The ENSEMBLE did its part beautifully, too. 

Though hidden from view by the lowered staging, the notes seem to “float” into the air and brought their own added dimension to the AIDA performance.

Our daughter, Dawn, played first-chair flute throughout her four years at MHS and later for four years in the St. Olaf Orchestra; we are very aware that in productions like this where a solo instrument is frequently the only accompaniment to an activity and voice on stage, essential moods can be destroyed if instrumentalists are not well prepared and rehearsed.  Nary once did we hear a fault line emerge from “the Pit” in this production.

Also at the highest level was the STAGING

For example, rolling out the “river scene” and utilizing “ragged, cross-checked ropes” so the rock-solid center stage setting could also be used by the Nubian captives, the court, and the museum setting at the outset as well as the conclusion of the production was a stroke of genius. 

Equally important, was the timing of the lighting and entrance and exit of the cast. 

Quick costume changes and anticipatory mind-sets for entrances are not happenstance occurrences in major productions like this.

The program, through the interviews of Sarah Berry and Kaitlyn Anglum, reminded all of us that major productions require skills and commitment of a host of young people too seldom recognized and that leadership development occurs not only on stage but behind it and in the lobby areas, also.   

So ends another year of MHS theater productions ends, certainly on a high note.  And, the summer season productions are already hitting the air waves. 

Time does not permit me to write individual congratulatory notes to all the students and the adults who guide them in their development.  If you would convey our deepest appreciation to all of them, we would be most grateful.

Sincerely,

Dr. Don and Mary Anne Draayer

Retired Minnetonka School Superintendent, 1971-1995


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