LMS eighth grade student Riley Loomis is Mary Poppins for LMS’ Drama production
From, Riley Loomis (Mary Poppins)
These last few months have been a roller coaster of emotions – from the excitement we all gained from learning what roles everyone got to our first time meeting the whole cast. Silly but stressful afternoons of learning our blocking and lines and so many songs which all come to us with ease now. In looking back at it all, I find myself smiling at how thankful I am for the time I’ve spent putting into this production. Not just how I spent my Saturday mornings working on set pieces with the crew and making costumes. Nor is it the times I have ran lines and songs through my head on repeat. It’s the countless memories I’ve made by being here. The little things that
bring a smile to my face and brighten my day. It’s about the people and how I’ve seen their skills grow and overcome their fears of putting themselves out there. Theatre allows you to truly express who you are, through the characters you portray, to how everyone is so accepting of your strengths and flaws. It allows you to jump into somebody else’s shoes for a little while, whether that be the character you get to be or if it’s the side of you you can’t express to the world in fear of judgement.
I’m so proud of everyone who has put their best effort into this production, who have spent countless hours working hard to do their best. Those who don’t just show up because it’s mandatory, but show up because they’re determined to do well and work hard to make something great. We work together as a family. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as connected with a group of people as I have with my drama peers.
Along with that, I find that Mary Poppins Jr. expresses the theme and lesson of both accepting others and realizing what’s really important in life. The children learning to accept those less fortunate than them, the bird woman for example, is a great lesson for the children and the audience as well. It shows that those less fortunate than us, who don’t look the same – aren’t any different, and that we should help support others instead of bringing them down.
Mr. Banks comes to an understanding of what is really important in life slowly throughout the story. It’s something that takes time for him, but ends up turning his life around. He finds that it isn’t the importance of money and his social ranking in life that really matters, but it’s about family and how you make memories with them – these are the things that have value. I find this is easily lost in society today, with how invested people are in fame, money, and material possessions. This lesson, which is built throughout the story, has caused me and many others to have an eye opening experience of what’s really important in life and to appreciate the time we spend with our friends and family.
Now I must be off. We hope you enjoy this practically perfect show – cheerio! – Riley Loomis (Mary Poppins)
Riley Loomis is an eighth-grade student at LMS. She is cast in the lead role of Mary Poppins in the current LMS Drama production of Mary Poppins Jr. PLEASE GO TO SCHOOLS SECTION FOR SHOW Story and MORE Show Photos!
