At the end of last year, Janae and some friends got permission to put on a student-led production of Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick ... Boom! for their Grade 12 Dogwood/capstone project. This project involves a minimum of 100 hours with a presentation at the end, and possibly a scholarship at graduation.
Janae’s project was the play’s costume design and creation, but she also played the leading role. She sang, played the piano and worked on the music and choreography—alongside two friends who produced and acted in the play.
They had other friends as stage managers, stage hands/extras (Alaina!) and tech crew—as well as two very dedicated teachers serving as directors. They also involved their vocal jazz group (including Alaina!), who came in and sang during the Sunday diner scene.
On Thursday we saw the results. I went to both the matinee and evening performances and thought Janae’s acting was just incredible.
Janae had several intense monologues, and at one point she sings and plays the piano—I cried at both shows. Here’s a link to the song (sung just after Janae’s character learns that his best friend Michael is dying of AIDS, so it gets pretty dramatic): Janae performing "Why"
Janae brought so much depth and emotion to her role that I thought my heart would literally burst just watching her.
Her piano teacher had worked with her on some of the songs and came to see the evening performance. This is what she posted afterwards:
After all the flowers, pictures and take-down of set, Janae went out for ice cream with her friends and then slept for a few hours before her friends arrived at our house to get ready for prom.
Yes, their prom was the day after the play!
Lots of laughter and a few tears—then they were on the bus for what looked like a magical night. I think every inch of our house and car was covered with sparkles!
It has been too much to take in in only two days! As Janae’s mom, I have shared and witnessed some intensely beautiful and profound but also heartbreaking moments over this short time. Through it all, I have seen that Janae is very ambitious but also more than capable of accomplishing anything she sets out to do. I am so proud of her.
Bonus short video of Janae and her friend twirling in their dresses (best watched without volume): Spinning Dresses
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