Join the Afterglow..

“Afterglow” ………Webster defines it as 1: a glow remaining where a light has disappeared 2: a pleasant effect or feeling that lingers after something is done, experienced, or achieved “basking in the afterglow of success”. It is the name I always gave to the celebration I hosted with all the adults who helped after every show. Clearly it's the best way to describe how those of us that shared this year's Junior Theatre Festival are still feeling.

Let the feeling of a job well done linger.

Let Tom Schumcher's "Disney Magic" And Jeanine Tesori's on the spot composition with 2200 kids inspire us for a while longer.

Let the performances given by kids from Maine to California continue to give us insights on shows we never imagined as a perfect fit for our own groups.

Let the vision of crowds of teachers, parents and adjudicators sporting expressions that say "it doesn't get better than this" last in our minds a little longer.

Let the "I've got a dream" video spots done by students empower us to work more creatively for the right reasons.

Let Baayoork Lee’s young performers from Chinatown continue to "wear" the standing ovation they earned and share it with PS @124.

Let 8 teachers proudly fly home with their Freddie G awards and bring their theater community to new heights.

I don't know if it's a liquid, a vapor or a shooting star. But whatever elements that were chemically combined to lift us all a little higher in Atlanta January 14-16 enjoy a long shelf life!