Students "Joust!" in their Final Show
Arthur pulls a zany musical from the stone!
For their last grade-level show at JCDS, our 5th and 6th graders performed the whimsical musical Joust! for a crowd of loving family and friends. The show is a take on the King Arthur legends, with some wacky twists in the story.
"In our story, Arthur stumbles upon a stone with both a sword and a Boomwhacker," explained Music Specialist Jessica Barker. "He chooses the Boomwhacker, becomes king, and decrees that the knights must get rid of their swords and replace them with this strange musical instrument."
For context, a Boomwhacker is a percussion instrument in the form of a plastic tube that is tuned to a musical pitch by its length.
The Knights of the Round Table are dismayed by their lack of swords. When the kingdom is suddenly attacked, the knights believe they are doomed. By sheer luck, Arthur taps the Boomwhacker on the ground and discovers its music-making ability. Through the magic that is only possible in theatre, he is able to save the kingdom using the power of music!
With a cast of 50 students, the creative team of Music Specialist Jessica Barker, Dance Manager Hannah Tucker, and Fine Arts Coordinator Lyndsay Curry had a lot to manage, including on-stage traffic control. However, they were able to put together a stellar production that was humorous and melodic, with great movement and visuals.
This large show allowed more opportunities for students to showcase their talents. There was dialogue, live music, singing, and dancing that gave students a chance to shine.
"This show is one of our most engaging productions of the year, with enhanced tech and more acting opportunities!" said Ms. Curry. "The students truly stepped up, and it's clear they're having a great time on stage."
The Knights performed an intricate sword dance which culminated in their swords being intertwined like a star.
Several students who also participate in the JCDS Band program, provided accompaniment throughout the show.
The song and dance number performed by the team of court jesters was one of the highlights of the show. They proved that they are "Nobody's Fool."
"I am incredibly proud of the jesters and their ability to entertain the audience throughout the entire show, culminating with their dance," said Ms. Tucker.
There were solo singers and some standout acting performances, including 6th-grader Milo R. as King Arthur.
This is the final show at JCDS for our 5th and 6th graders. It was a thrilling and emotional experience for all the performers, the faculty, friends, and families.
"This show has pushed our stage performance and teamwork skills beyond a typical grade-level show," said Ms. Barker. "I am very proud of the students' effort and their rise to the challenge over the last few months of show preparation."
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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