Broadway or Bust

The students featured in PBS's documentary "Broadway or Bust" have clearly found a love of singing and performing. The documentary follows a group of high school students who have advanced the the final round of the National High School Musical Theater Awards.  The Jimmy's celebrate some of the finest High School Musical Theater actors and actresses from across the country. 

The Jimmy's are powerful for the students who advance to this round, as well as many other aspiring musicians across the country. For the students who have not made it yet, it gives them a goal to work towards. Not only that, but they see ordinary students their own age giving truly incredible performances and opportunities, and that goal seems attainable. They can be inspired by these truly extraordinary performances and challenge themselves to find the same connections, musicality, and presence.

How can we bring this enthusiasm and excitement to our own schools without having a huge program and Broadway stage? I believe the key is celebration. Music is meant to be shared and enjoyed. Students must be given opportunities to find music that they love and that expresses themselves. They must also have opportunities to share their music. The students that were most successful in the competition, whether that means they advanced further or simply had an amazing time, sang songs that meant something to them. They connected to the songs and were able to share a pure, honest moment with the audience. A moment like that feels exactly the same no matter what stage you are standing on.

One of the casting directors at the end of the film says that it is important that the kids don't see not winning as "rejection." Music can sometimes feel like rejection, especially when it seems like students are auditioning for everything, and feel like they're not finding any success. This feeling of rejection is the biggest enemy of fostering this passion. As educators, we must help students to see their accomplishments every step of the way and celebrate those accomplishments. We must help students understand not to take it personally and to continue making music because they enjoy it.