December 20, 2022:
Here’s an idea. Let’s create a musical for kids that uses catchy songs, dance and humor to explore ancient civilizations, entertain, bring history alive and challenge students and the audience to make their own contribution to the future. Then let’s involve the whole Mettawee community in producing a rousing production of the show — every student and teacher at school, plus staff, parents and local volunteers.
And so it was that on December 15th, at the Mettawee Community School’s production of “Dig It” played to adoring audiences in afternoon and evening performances.
“I love how this all came together in just three weeks,” says Mettawee Principal Brooke DeBonis. “Cooperation was the key to our success. Everyone — students, staff, parents, volunteers — stepped up to make this happen. Our whole community was involved.”
The story of “Dig It” starts with two archeologists exploring a tomb in Ethiopia when they discover a talking skeleton named Lucy. She quickly points out that there’s much to learn from the fossils and skeletons of the past and takes her two new companions on a musical journey through ancient civilizations. Their itinerary included:
Mesopotamia: Civilization comes alive in the desert as people join together to farm on land between two rivers. Their collaboration leads to developing currency, tools, and letters for an alphabet.
Egypt: The land of Pharaohs, who build tombs roomy and splendid enough to hold their jewels, gold, candle sticks, boats and food with them on their journey into eternity.
Asia: The Great Wall of China, Buddha, Hindu, mountains, valleys, rivers, the Himalayas, silk, and the wisdom of philosophers such as Confucius, who intoned, “Seek to be worthy of being known.”
Greece: The birthplace of comedy and drama, the Olympics, algebra, democracy, and modern western language,
Rome: Jupiter, Minerva, Mars, Romulus & Remus, aqueducts, roads, bridges, and tunnels.
Each stop featured costumed performers who spoke, danced and sang. Fourth graders showcased the emergence of Mesopotamia with a “Land Between Two Rivers.” Kindergarten and sixth grade students prepared a final resting place for their Pharaoh, “In My Tomb.” Third graders, with the help of Confucius, highlighted all the glories of Asia, “Empires of the East.” Second, fourth, and fifth graders honored all the gifts of Athens, “Greece is the Word.” (Take that, John Travolta!) A foot stomping “Toga Party Tonight” from the first and fifth graders celebrated the revelry of Rome and brought the audience to their feet. At the conclusion, all the civilizations came on stage to honor the past and toast the time to come, “Here’s to the Future.”
The production featured a creative stage design with blocks that could be easily turned and assembled to create the environment of each land visited: the deserts of Mesopotamia, pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China and the columns of Greece and Rome.
In remarks to the audience, DeBonis acknowledged the work of the entire community, but highlighted the contributions of the four staff program directors. Music Instructor Lisa Hoyt served as the “Dig It” musical director. Mettawee Instructional Coach Joey Blane worked with students on the craft of acting. School Nurse Mandy Mayer accompanied the performers on piano, and Art Teacher Amy Harris worked with students making costumes and set design.
DeBonis was especially proud of her older students: “We matched higher and lower grades for most musical numbers. That allowed the older kids to help the young ones with stage spacing and guidance with the singing and dancing.”
Despite the help from above, some of the younger troopers were awestruck at their first time on stage. “I think I see my mom out there!” Whispered a little one, breaking the Fourth Wall momentarily. He then dutifully exited stage right. Bravo!
