Salutations

The Springer Opera House announced its 2009-2010 season last night. It's a pretty crowd pleasing season.

• Footloose
• Star-Spangled Girl
• Peter Pan
• Tuna Christmas
• Route 66
• Inherit the Wind
• Forever Patsy Cline
• Oklahoma
  
• The Complete History of America; Abridged

In the Children's Theater:

• Bambi
• Ramona Quimby
• James and the Giant Peach

A great season, yes? Tonight varied from past season announcement parties. Instead of the board of directors talking the night away, Springer Theater Academy students lead the evenings events. They opened the evening, introduced parts of the season, and talked about the impact that the Springer has had on their lives. It really was too cute to see little Dasha Nolan reading excerpts from senior essays. At the end of the evening, 100 Springer Theater Academy students stood on the stage and performed "Salutations."

What is "Salutations", you ask? "Salutations" is our way of honoring the past, acknowledging the present, and saluting the future. We stand on the shoulders of many who have gone before us and we know that if we do our work well, others will follow. The actual action of "Salutations" is a difficult thing to explain. You kinda have to see it. However, let me assure you that it is a powerful sight. And it is even more powerful to actually do it. I have to admit, I got a small surge of energy as I was going though the motions of "Salutations."


As a graduate of the Springer Theater Academy, I can tell you the difference between stage right and stage left. I can explain the difference between projecting your voice and yelling and demonstrate both. I can use voice inflection with the best of them and demonstrate body isolations. I can stilt-walk and improvise. But these are not the most important lessons that I learned, nor are they the most important lessons that Ron Anderson wanted students to learn when he first established the Springer Theater Academy over 12 years ago. Confidence, discipline, and focus are the lessons that that Mr. Ron imparts to hundreds of children every year. I have seen, and personally experienced, the impact that the Springer has on the community of Columbus, Georgia. The Springer provides a safe-haven for children to learn and grow, as individuals and as artists. The Springer provides the community not only with quality entertainment, but it provides educational opportunities for students in and around the Muscogee County school district. "Life Skills through Stage Skills." The Springer isn't training 700 more actors for Broadway. Instead, it is teaching kids skills that are invaluable for any career, be it doctor, lawyer, accountant, pastor, etc.

I am better person because of the Springer and the community of people that the Springer embodies. I understand and appreciate the history that is the Springer; the people that have gone before me, those that are experiencing it with me now, and those that are yet to come. I love the Springer Opera House for what it is and what it strives to be.