The Connection

There is a specific kind of magic within the walls of PUCS during Spring Production season. It starts with a chaotic cluster of students, a stack of scripts and cardboard for our “wearable art” and a lot of nervous energy. As the weeks unfold, that chaos transforms into something profoundly moving and unique—no other elementary school in the country is creating an original musical every year!

As the Director for the last three years, I have learned that an elementary school musical is less about hitting the perfect note and more about witnessing the rapid, beautiful growth of confidence in our 4th and 5th graders—from the first script readthrough, to finding out their part (large or small) to taking their marks, to costume creation and then, showtime!

In the first few rehearsals, the atmosphere is usually a mix of excitement and quiet hesitation. You’ll see students standing with their hands in their pockets, whispering lines, and looking at their feet. The goal here isn’t choreography; it’s courage.

As a director, you aren’t just teaching them where to stand on stage; you are teaching them that it is okay to be seen and heard. The moment a quiet 4th grader finally projects a line to the back of the room, the entire energy of the production shifts, the rest of the cast claps and rejoices–that’s the first “win.”  Then, there is always a turning point—usually about two weeks before Dress Rehearsal–where the Spring Production truly becomes “their show.” Students stop looking at the Director for every cue and start looking at each other. They add more emotion, more movement and speak more slowly.

While the audience sees the costumes and the choreography, the real growth happens in the skills that our students take with them into life after PUCS. Standing in front of an audience of 200+  becomes a masterclass in overcoming anxiety. Learning that a musical is like a giant puzzle—the lighting, the sound, the band, the cast, the stage all have to be in sync –encourages strategic thinking and problem solving. Instead of a failure, forgetting a line or missing a cue becomes an opportunity to recover, keep going and build resilience.

As the lights dim and the band plays, you see a group of children who are fundamentally different from the ones who walked into the readthrough. They stand taller. They speak more clearly. They support one another with backstage high-fives and whispered words of encouragement. The standing ovation at the end isn’t just for the performance—it’s for the hard work, the growth, and the newfound spark in every child on that stage. 

Being their Director is one of the greatest honors and privileges in my life, as witness to each one’s growth and the joy of watching them shine. I couldn’t be prouder of them. It is a true Wondertaking.

Fairlight Collins Lower
PUCS’ 2024, 2025 and 2026 Spring Production Director
Former PUCS Parent, Director of Advancement