Staff report
THOMASVILLE — With the lights on late and lots of cars at a Covington Avenue rehearsal facility throughout Thanksgiving week, it’s obvious that area young people are preparing for a 30-plus year holiday tradition.
The curtain goes up on the Thomasville Music and Drama Troupe’s annual Christmas Show on Dec. 8 and that has meant extra rehearsals for dancers, ensembles, soloists and characters in recent weeks.
Troupe Director Lisa Davis said Friday getting the show ready for its curtain call is a tall order.
“We have less time to prepare for the Christmas show and, since Troupe members are involved in so many school, sports, church and volunteer activities leading up to this season, we are entering serious ‘crunch time’ now,” said Davis in an event news release.
She has been working closely with founder and director emeritus Fred Allen, Junior Troupe coordinator Amy Boland and choreographer Dana Willis to finalize and polish the performances.
The show features both secular and sacred songs, pop favorites, familiar hymns, lively dance numbers and the ever-popular “Santa’s Frosty Follies” medley that includes Christmas character favorites such as Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Suzy Snowflake, among others, according to show producer Rick Ivey.
Troupe performers, who come from all area high schools and even home-school settings, have been rehearsing music since August and dance steps and choreography since October.
Several seniors reflected this weekend on what will be their last Christmas show with the group.
Brookwood senior James Farmer likes doing the annual holiday show and is “really excited” about the upcoming performance because “it’s always fun, and there’s definitely some different things in the show this year.”
Jamie Richardson, a senior at Thomas County Central High School, also loves being part of Troupe. He is also excited about the show, despite the repetitious rehearsals.
“Even when you’re singing ‘Frosty the Snowman’ for the hundredth time,” he said.
Farmer agreed.
“We’ve been singing Christmas music for four months!”
But, Troupe members agree the extra work pays off when the curtain comes up.
“Just being on stage and having those lights in your eyes — there’s nothing like it,” Richardson said.
Jacob Jones, who graduates from Cairo High School in May, said, “I’ve had a lot of fun doing this for the past four years and, even though a lot of work gets put into it every day, it really is worth it at the end of the show.”
But it’s not just the students and artistic team that have been working to prepare.
“It truly takes an army to get this show off the ground,” Troupe Co-President Beth Benton said. “And this is the time of year we become even more thankful for them. We have scores of people — many who no longer even have a child in Troupe — who spend hours and hours every week to make this a success.”
Benton said Troupe parents, alumni and others have been working all weekend to get the auditorium set for the holiday performance, moving in scenery, fitting costumes, assembling risers and sound equipment, and adding special lighting to make sure everything’s up to Troupe standards.
Tickets go on sale to the public 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4 at Relish in downtown Thomasville, and continue daily through Dec. 8.
Depending on sales, a limited number may be available at the auditorium box office on show night.
WHAT: Thomasville Music and Drama Troupe’s annual Christmas Show
WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8
WHERE: Thomasville Municipal Auditorium
TICKETS: $20 reserved, $15 for general admission (balcony)
INFO: Latrelle Cone at 403-7251
