By Rachael Lewis
For the past 8 weeks, students from Snowflake High School have been practicing, dancing and singing their way toward an amazing production of Gershwin’s, Crazy for You. The 6 performances held in March, sold out within minutes of doors opening. In light of Covid restrictions, only 250 people were allowed at each showing; causing lines to start forming around 5:15p.m. for a 7:00 performance.
Director, Wendy Bloomfield, has been working with school Music Department Head, Mindy Flake, for the past 13 years to put on musicals including, Oklahoma!, and Fiddler on the Roof, among others. Crazy for You, was Wendy’s last production. The Silver Creek Herald interviewed Mrs. Bloomfield about her time directing musicals at Snowflake High.
What made Crazy for You such a special production?
Crazy For You, has had a special place in my heart ever since I had the opportunity to see it in New York back in the 90’s. The music is amazing. I mean, who could not like Gershwin. So, when I had the opportunity to put it on at Snowflake High
School about ten years ago with Mindy Flake, Angie Jeppeson, Arnene Lee, and many others, I was super excited. I’m really happy that we got to do it one more time as my last high school play.
How did you and Mindy Flake get together and decide to start doing musicals at the high school?
We moved to Snowflake in 2005. Mr. Vogl was doing the high school productions at the time and doing a very good job. We attended Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in the Spring of 2006 and were wowed…They needed a parent volunteer to help backstage and so I volunteered (to help with the production of Guys and Dolls.) It was at the end of Guys and Dolls that Angie and Mindy talked to me about being the director for the next year’s play. I said yes and the rest is history.
How do you decide which musical you are going to perform?
Choosing a musical is very personal for me. I have to feel right about it before moving forward. I usually pray for help on this because God knows better than I do what is going to be best for the kids for that year. It sounds crazy, but each cast is different and each play offers different opportunities and areas to grow in.
What have these past 13 years meant to you?
I have loved directing the Snowflake high school play each year. The kids have been amazing. I will miss working with them. These plays have been a real family event for me. My mom, Judy Everist, (who is 82 years old) has designed, painted and built all the sets with my husband Curtis. For the past few years, my sister, Peggy Weech, headed up the costumes. My daughter, Judy Bloomfield, was my assistant director this year. My family has spent many hours at the school building, painting, setting up and cleaning up. In fact, play season has become our family reunion, as that is when all of my kids come home to visit. I feel very blessed to have been able to work with so many wonderful students and so many amazingly talented adults. Without them, I would be nothing.
What do you think these performances have done for the community? For the kids in particular?
…My hope is that each play will give kids an opportunity to do something hard that will make them grow and gain a sense of self-worth knowing that they can do hard things. I have loved watching kids who have never danced a step perform amazing dance numbers. This year we had so many kids, including some leads, who were not dancers learn tap... Being on stage requires these students to put themselves out there and be more than they are each day. They gain so much confidence in who they are. We believe the play can be a positive experience for everyone involved and want every kid to have the opportunity to participate, learn and grow.
Wendy Bloomfield, Mindy Flake, and the many unnamed volunteers that come together to put on musicals performed at the high school year after year, have made positive impacts on the youth, school and community.
Kaika Burk, a senior, who played the lead, Bobby Child, in the “New York” cast was able to tell the Herald about his experience participating in musicals throughout high school.
“I've been doing musicals since my sophomore year and I have no regrets. At first, I only did it because my friends wanted me to. But I found out quickly how much I loved it, and I've made sure to take every opportunity to be a part of them. They have all meant so much to me. They're a great way to get to know other people, as well as yourself. Doing theater has given me confidence in who I am and who I want to become. It's given me a chance to find joy in doing something that brings laughter and joy to others. I will never forget these experiences and I'll cherish them for the rest of my life.”
Kaika had the experience to perform with his sister, Kaili Burk, who played a Tapper. She says of her experience: “Crazy For you was such a wonderful environment to grow in confidence, make friends, and learn and develop new skills. In just 8 weeks we were able to not only put on a full production, but successfully put on a very dance heavy production. With the bulk of the play being Tap and Jazz, every person involved had their work cut out for them. There were a few of us that had taken some form of tap class before, but most of us had never even considered it. We didn't let that stop us. We spent hours during the week practicing numbers over and over again. With the support and dedication of Julie Moore, Sandy Ballard, and Tanya Johnston, we were able to quickly learn and love tap. It was a challenge for sure, but the willingness of the choreographers and our fellow cast members made it more than worth it. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to participate in a musical with such tremendous influences.”
The number of youth and adults that donated their time to this production is impressive. It is clear that a production of this size is more than just a show. It instills leadership, confidence, and a deep love of community.
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