Opinion

            Sue and I had the opportunity to attend some of the Walpole Junior Players’ “A Christmas Carol” rehearsal last night while preparing a preview story for the Eagle Times that will appear tomorrow.  I want to share some thoughts on this terrific group and the tradition they embody.

            First, they are presenting John Jake’s adaptation of Dickens’ “ A Christmas Carol” at the Town Hall Helen Miller Theater Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.  It’s amateur theater—not Broadway—and the young Thespians range widely in talent, experience and maturity.  But there is a LOT of talent in the cast and there will be highlights—guaranteed! It’ll be an experience you’ll be glad you had. You really should go!

            But what I really want to share with you is that the rehearsal reminded us again of the impressive talent and leadership pool we have in our town that we all should recognize and applaud.

            Joey Macri, only 8 years removed from participation in the Walpole Junior Players herself, is directing the 19-member cast with an eye-popping package of leadership skills that I don’t often see in my management consulting and adult learning engagements with people twice her age and more.  She models ways of teaching, encouraging and inspiring solid performance in her young actors with levels of effectiveness that leaders of all kinds frequently dream about and seldom achieve! I predict that she will have a positive and lasting impact on each member of the cast.

            And, her young cast members, in our group interview with them, eagerly described what they are learning as a result of their experience in the play and with Macri, stage manager Trina Carmody and assistant director Carolyn Norback.  Examples they gave us included “organization” (knowing where to be throughout the play), “self-discipline”  (getting into their characters, learning their lines, and expressing the meaning in them), “working together” (all-important teamwork skills) and even maintaining their good health and hydration in order to stay in good voice.  All are essential lessons—all building emotional intelligence—that they’ll draw on throughout their lives.  In short, their Junior Players' experience is not only great fun but also an intensive, invaluable learning experience that we should all respect, value and appreciate! 

            So Sue and I are going to go and enjoy the play.  But what we’re REALLY going to remember long afterward is the invaluable learning and growth opportunities the Junior Players provides its participants.  Chuck Bingaman