A Fractured, Froggy Fairy Tale
5th-graders fill the room with music and laughter.
Thwacked!, a fractured tale of frogs, folks, and falling skies, landed with a splash at JCDS last Friday when our 5th-graders delivered its school premiere as their Capstone year grade-level show.
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The trouble starts when a naughty prince (Evan K.) gets exactly what’s coming to him: a sorceress (Evelyn F.) turns him into a frog. In his new green skin (now played by Saurav M.), he takes an accidental thwack to the head from a falling acorn. Convinced by his fellow frogs that the sky itself is collapsing, chaos and comedy take over from there.
For several years, our Capstone classes have leaned into medieval-themed productions. This year, Music Specialist Jessica Barker kept the tradition alive with a clever twist.
"With our 5th grade, we wanted to stage a show with a nod to the medieval times that our 'seniors' could continue to claim as their own," Ms. Barker said.
"With our 5th grade, we wanted to stage a show with a nod to the medieval times that our 'seniors' could continue to claim as their own," Ms. Barker said.
Rehearsals kicked off in early December. Ms. Barker used her notes from the first read-throughs to cast students in roles that let them shine while serving the story. Even the Mayor’s Council, initially worried about their handful of lines, ended up stealing scenes once their characters came alive.
"It was really cool to watch their characters' rapport develop during rehearsals," Ms. Barker said. "By showtime, they were some of the funniest guys on stage. Sometimes the funniest parts have the fewest lines."
As the weeks went on, the students grew more confident, offering ideas for character quirks, extra jokes, and stage business.
"Our greatest challenge was striking a balance between pulling from our idea bank while also working toward mastery of the content," said Ms. Barker.
Dance Manager Cathy Finne loved watching the energy on the stage as the energetic students busted their moves.
"So many of our 5th-graders were excited to dance and learn their choreography," said Ms. Finne. "Every student worked hard, stayed focused, and performed an amazing show! I am proud of each one of them!"
"So many of our 5th-graders were excited to dance and learn their choreography," said Ms. Finne. "Every student worked hard, stayed focused, and performed an amazing show! I am proud of each one of them!"
Fine Arts Coordinator Lindsay Curry handled lighting and sound design, and even tracked down the oversized acorn prop for that fateful thwack. A seasoned performer herself, she spent hours coaching stage presence and basic stagecraft.
"Their finest moments on stage were when you could see them really enjoying themselves," said Ms. Curry. "Live performance is a special experience, and I most love watching them realize in the moment that it's all working out."
For the 5th-graders, it was a bittersweet finale to their grade-level productions, but one they met with creativity and plenty of laughs. Sharky is delighted these young performers had the chance to sing, dance, and act in front of a live audience.
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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