Fine Arts – Theater

Peter Pan & Cast Soar through the air in USJ production

When University School of Jackson decided to perform Peter Pan, the Musical, it wanted its performance of the timeless tale to include something the school has never done before. The production, November 3, 5, and 6 in the school's Blankenship Theater, had students flying in the air across the stage.

"I was so excited when we chose Peter Pan," said Dr. Tammy Grant, "because it allowed us to have performers fly, something USJ has never done before."

Peter Pan and the Darling children, were rigged to fly across the stage throughout the performance. This aerial feat was made possible with the help of a flying company, which handles the rigging for other performers across the country.

The cast featured students in second through 12th grade, as well as faculty members. The show was accompanied by a live orchestra comprised of USJ students and under the direction of Tom Grant. Set design and construction was under the leadership of Chris Bennett.

Productions such as Peter Pan, The Musical are made possible through the generous support of the Fine Arts Guild Corporate Sponsors and Patrons, including Platinum Partners, West Tennessee ENT Clinic: Dr. and Mrs. Karl Studtmann; Krasner Pawn & Jewelry; Plastic Surgery Center of Jackson: Dr. Marshall Yellen; The Evans Clinic (Huntingdon): Drs. Paul & Pam Evans, Drs. John & Nancy Caterina and Dr. Jerry Atkins; BancorpSouth; Wild Smiles Pediatric Dentistry: Dr. Chuck Hughes; Cancer Care Center, Jackson; iDesign; and West Tennessee Construction.

Peter Pan video online...

Musical director flying high at 50 shows

From left, Will Duvall, Brian Lindvall, Sean McLaughlin, and Carter Butler were the barbershop quartet in USJ's production of the Music Man.	From left, Victoria Farnsworth, Bradford Carrington, Camilla Bratton, and Ian Charles in High School Musical.

In early November, 2011, Dr. Tammy Grant will reach a significant milestone in her USJ career. The production of Peter Pan, the Musical will be her 50th musical in 16 years.

Grant not only will be flying high with accomplishment, several of the characters also will take to the air for the production, which is another milestone in USJ theatrical history.

When Grant started at USJ, she walked into a school that had a legacy of wonderful productions each year, one in the Middle School and one in the Upper School.

“Several years after I got to USJ,” she said, “we did Into the Woods, Jr. We had so many kids trying out for parts that I decided to double cast the play. But it still wasn’t enough to spread around all the talent we had, so I added a second musical production for the Middle School that year to provide students more opportunities to participate.”

Two years later she added a fall musical for the Upper School. “We had more students with great talents. I needed more times to showcase all that talent.”

Her first fall production was The Pirates of Penzance in 2004, and it presented Grant with a unique opportunity of using parents and faculty in the cast.

“We had adults in adult roles, which made it all so much more believable,” said Grant. “Our time as student and teacher is short. We are adults together for so much longer. I love it when the kids and adults can work together as equals and learn from each other. Getting to work in that type of environment with faculty, students, and parents helping each other is one of my favorite things to see.”

In 16 years, Grant has met the challenge of staging new productions each year; she has only repeated five musicals under her direction. “With new students, it is always a different experience,” said Grant. “And my skills have improved enough over time that when I repeat a show, it is like an all new production.”

Grant attributes the success of USJ’s musical theater program to the coordinated effort among all the Fine Arts departments: “Libby Lynch helps with artwork, Anna McPeake makes props, Dian Eddleman has been in several musicals, Tom Grant directs the student orchestra (which is unique to high school productions), Chris Bennett designs our sets, and Jimmy Glosson serves as assistant director.”

She hopes to have another 20 years producing musicals at USJ. “We have developed such a talent pool that we can hardly do enough plays to get all the talent showcased,” Grant said.
“Although I realize that many of my actors may not go on to a career in the theater, being on stage is a wonderful life lesson that teaches courage, confidence, and so many skills they will need later in life.”